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1
DEEDS OF VALOR
FROM RECORDS IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
HOW AMERICAN HEROES WON THE
MEDAL OF HONOR
HISTORY OF OUR RECENT WARS AND EXPLORATIONS
FROM PERSONAL REMINISCENCES ^ND RECORDS OF OFFICERS AND ENLISTED
MEN WHO WERE REWARDED BY CONGRESS FOR MOST CONSPICUOUS
ACTS OF BRAVERY ON THE BATTLE-FIELD, ON THE HIGH
SEAS AND IN ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS.
AMONG OTHER RECORDS THE STIRRING ADVENTURES OF;
Admiral W. S. SCHLEY Admiral GEO. W. MELVILLE Hon. WM. P. CODY, (Buffalo Bill)
Admiral GEO. DEWEY Lieut. G. W. DeLONG Gen'l MARION P. MAUS
Lleut-GeoM NELSON A. MILES General A. W. GREELY GenM ARTHUR McARTHUR. Jr.
Mal.GenM WM. R. SHAFTER Commander W. D. GUSHING GenM DELEVAN BATES
Admiral D. G. PARRAGUT Hon. L. P. dl CESNOLA GenM JULIUS STAHL
Admiral D. D. PORTER GenM F. J..BELL Hon. JOHN C BLACK
Edited by W.'F/'BEYER and O. F. KEYDEL.
INTRODUCTION BY
BRIG..GEN'L H. M. DUFFIELD, U. S. V.
1IIlu0trate^
Complete in Two Volumes
VOLUME I
THE PERRIEN-KEYDE L COMPANY
DETROIT, MICH., U. S. A.
1907
'^:^^
. &y
I
The Congressional
THE ARMY
Medal of Honor
EXTKACT FKOM REGUUTIONS RELATIVE TO
THE MEDAL OF HONOR.
B^
THE NAVV
of the President, the following i-egu-
latiotiB are promulgated respecting the award of
MedalB of Honor:
Medala of Honor authorized by the Act of Congress
approved March 3, 1863, are awarded to offioera and
eulisted men, in the name of the Congress, for particular
deeds of most distinguished gallantry in action.
In order that the Congressional Medal of Honor
may be deserved, service must have been performed in
action of such a conspicuous character as to clearly dis-
tinguish the man for gallantry and intrepidity above his
comrades — service Uiat involved extreme jeopardy of
life or the performance of extraordinarily hazardous duty.
Recommendations for the decoration will be judged
by this standard of eitmordinary merit, and incontestible
proof of performance of the service will be exacted.
Solaiera of the Union have ever displayed brav-
ery in battle, else
victories oonld not
have been gained;
bat as courage
and self-sacrifice
are the character-
istics of every true
soldier.sncbabadge
of distinction as the
Congressional Medal is not to be expected as the reward
of conduct that does not clearly distinguish the soldier
above other men, whose bravery and gallantry have been
proved in battle. * * *
Recommendations for medals on account of service
rendered subsequent to January 1, 1890, will be made
by the commanding officer at the time of the action or
by an officer or soldier having personal cognizance of the
act for which the badge of honor is claimed, and the
recommendation will embrace a detailed recital of all
the facts and circumstances. Certificates of officers or
the affidavits of enlisted men who were eyewitnesses of
the act will also be submitted if pmcticable.
In oases that may arise for service performed here-
after, recommendations for award of medals must be for-
warded within one year after the performance of the act
for which the awud is claimed. Commanding officers «
will thoroughly investigate all cases of recommendations
for Congressional Medals arising in their commands, and
indorse their opinion upon the papers, which will be for-
varded to the Adjutant-General of the Army through
^golar channels.
^
of the Rebeilion, in July, 1862,
rovided by joint resolution for
iDost distinguislied g'allantry in action.
Departniptit pursuunt to these joint
of the
hia duty and beyond the
.piiiuous bravery of advan-
rinp a " Medal «
^//
tervened. For s
nlutions it is provided that every s
United States, who, outside of the strict I'm
orders of his superiors, performed an act of
taffe to the service, should be rewarded by i
specially struck for that purpose, on Butisfactory proof hcinp presented of the
(■ircumstances of the act. From the beyinninj^ of the War of the Kb-bellion lo
the opening of the war with Sjuiin, only about 1.4IH) of these medals were
granted, including all those given for services in the Indian Wars which in-
Tvices in the Spanish War, only 26 medals were awarded. When it is consid-
ered that nearly two millions of men served in these wars, and that their course was marked with
innumerable gallant actions, the signal merit of those actions which earned the medals and the
care with which the proof was scrutinized, may be better appreciated. Mere recklessness of danger,
when duty is to be performed or orders obeyed, is a common attribute of all American soldiers,
and those who received the Medal of Honor were doubtless, in many cases, more fortunate in
opportunity rather than braver of heart than their comrades; yet the fact tlmt less than 1,400 out
of two millions wear this badge of heroism marks the wearers as soldiers of extraordinary merit
and heroism.
The official record of these stories of heroic deeds in the service of the Republic is of the most
meager character, a mere line, with the name of the individual, his company and regiment, and a
brief phrase designating the character of his achievement, without any of the details which would
give it life and dramatic interest. It scarcely rises above the form of a tabular statement. As
time passed, the heroes of these deeds were rapidly disappearing from the stage of life, and soon
all recollection of the essential features of their achievements, would be buried in the graves of
those who performed aiid witnessed tiiem. The design of this work was to gather these details
together, verified by the niedul bearers, their superior officers, or other witnesses, and present them
to the American public in a form worthy of the subject,
The work has been by no means an easy one. It involved several yeara of arduous pursuit
by the compilers, voluminous correspondence and exhaustive search; but it has been accomplished
with a degree of completeness which was hardly to be expected. The compilers have had the
advantage of the zealous assistance of every officer of the army to whom they applied, access to
the official reports of the War Department, and written reports of the incidents from the medal
holders themselves. So far therefore, as historical accuracy is concerned, there is little apology
to be made for the work. As to its literary merit, it may be said that much of it is in the
— 2 —
simple and modest language of the heroes themseWes, who hare minimized their own merits, and
taken from their narratives much of the dramatic interest which a disinterested witness woald
have found in the deeds they performed. Many of the incidents, on the other hand, have been
related by officers who were witnesses of the deeds of their subordinates, and who had the liter-
ary skill to mark and describe them in the manner they deserved, but without exaggeration or
embellishment.
The editing of the work was committed to competent hands, whose chief purpose was to
eliminate crudities, and to avoid extravagant expressions to which such a work was easily liable.
Whatsoever may be its demerits, its publishers may at least fairly claim that it is a truthful and
modest narration of the most heroic personal achievements of our soldiers during the past half
century, verified by competent officers, and sustained by proofs which have been accepted by the
Government of the United States as evidence of the facts which deserved the distinguishing ac-
knowledgment of the Medal of Honor.
Vrigadier-General, U. 5. Volunteers
COMPILERS' PREFACE
THE [)ages of our country's history abound with instances of the most lofty courage, which
thrill the pulse and kindle the spirit of everi' true patriot. Congress itself has singled
out many of these instances and given them s[)ecial recognition. It has provided for a
medal, known us the ^' Medal of Honor.'' It is the nation's grateful acknowledgment of a great
and heroic deed, a reward for such gallant services in action as make him who renders them
conspicuous among his comrades.
The heart beats faster and the blood courses through the veins more rapidly, as one reads
these simple stories published in the heroes' own modest words. These narrations speak for
themselves. Editorial embellisliment could only detract from their value.
The footnotes which accompany the several descriptions are intended to give a brief review of
the historic events to which they refer. In this manner the reader will obtain an abridged his-
tory of our several wars, including the campaign in the Philippine Islands, illuminated by the
thrilling acts of the nation's heroes.
To the contributors of the narrations, and all who have assisted in this task, and especially
to General Lewellyn G. Kstes and Captain .lames U. Durham, Washington, D. C, and His Ex-
cellency. Ilazen S. Pingree, Governor of the State of Michigan, the compilers feel themselves
deeply indebtecl.
The compilers submit this work for the approval of the American people, hoping that their
effort to preserve these heroic episodes in a permanent and worthy form, before all recollection
of them has ))asse(l away, will not have been in vain, and tliat the result will be a monument
to remind generation after generation of Americans of the heroism of their fathers.
THE WAR OF SECESSION
PRELIMINARY EVENTS
TF it is conceded that the question of slavery constituted the main point at issue which led to the tre-
mendous struggle now known as the War of Secession or the Civil War, then the very beginnings of
this great commonwealth show us clearly the presence of two antagonistic principles that made the
coming of this struggle eventually inevitable. Those principles were represented in the cargoes of twe
ships which entered the American waters at the end of the second decade of the seventeenth century
within the short time-space of nineteen months, the first, a Dutch vessel, unshipping a load of African
negroes on the banks of the James river in 1619, the second, the Mayflower, landing her company of white
liberty-seekers in Plymouth £ay in the following year.
In the wording of the Constitution of the United States of America the term ** slave " was carefully
avoided, three provisions in it, though, relating to slaves. By the time of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, however, the necessity and righteousness of slavery had become a creed in the South, which
grew in intensity as the years passed on and the demand of the English mills for Southern cotton increased.
In the meanwhile the territory of the United States grew at the astonishing rate so well known to
recent history, and in the same proportion grew the anti-slavery feeling in the North. So when the im-
portant question arose whether or not to allow slavery in the newly developed territories the first heavy
clash occurred between the two opposing principles. At last the breech reached its climax with
Abraham Lincoln's election as president by the Republican party, on a platform declaring that Congress
forbid slavery in the Territories.
South Carolina, the most pronounced opponent to any anti-slavery movement, called a convention
which, on the 20th of December, 1860, unanimously passed an ordinance declaring that the union between
South Carolina and the other States was thereby dissolved. Within two months Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas passed similar ordinances. These were quickly followed by
seizures of the United States forts, arsenals and custom houses within the seceding states, and by the
establishment of a Confederate Government, with its capital at Montgomery, Alabama, in February, 1861,
with Jefferson Davis as. provisional President and Alexander H. Stephens Vice-President.
Although there were still eight slave-holding states out of the Confederacy there was no apprehension
on the part of the latter's government as to their ultimate joining, but the great prize to capture now was
Virginia, both because of her own power and resources, and because her accession to the Confederacy
would necessarily bring North Carolina also. But at an election of delegates to a convention to consider
the question of secession, the Unionist majority was no less than sixty thousand, and on the fourth of
April, when President Lincoln had been in office for a month, that convention refused, by a vote of 80 to
46, to pass an ordinance of secession. Now in the Confederate Constitution there was a provision that em-
powered Congress to " prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State or territory not belonging to the
Confederacy.'' Yet it was in this very line of trade that proud Virginia held great possessions. Her
export of slaves into the cotton States, especially the new territory of Texas, was enormous, amounting to
— 2 —
about 60 percent of the whole trmde ; Virginia's share in 1885 for instance being computed at 4O,000 slaTe*
valued at 124,000,000.
Under the circumstances the Confederate constitutional clause mentioned above meant nothing: les
than economic disaster for this State ; the ordinance of secession was taken up again and on April 17th the
Virginian convention passed it in secret session by a vote of 88 to 55. Governor Letcher, withoat awaiting
the date it was to take effect, six weeks distant, immediately turned over the entire military force and
equipment of the State to the Confederate authorities, and the seat of the Confederate Government was
transferred from Montgomery to Richmond. Arkansas and North Carolina followed the example of Vir^
ginia during May. In Tennessee the struggle over the two principles lasted until June when the Con-
federates literally captured this State. Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri went
finally with the Union af Ct^r more or less desperate struggles, about which more anon.
An incident that hastened the catastrophy was the attack on Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, on
April 12th. The history of this now famous event is interwoven with rumors and intrigues. This much
seems certain that Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Gardner, who commanded the place in 1800, was relieved by
the War Department on account of his having asked for reinforcements during November of this year.
The new Commander, Major Robert Anderson, a Kentuckian, was beyond any reasonable doubt believed
to sympathize with the Confederates, but S4?cretary of War J. B. Floyd learned 84X>n that in this respect
he was entirely mistaken. Anderson re{>orted immediately after his arrival that in his conviction the
people of South Carolina would by force of arms capture all the forts in the harbor as aoon as their
ordinance of secession be voted through. At that time of the three forts in Charleston Harbor: Sumter,
Castle Pinckm'y and Moultrie, only the latter had a garrison; Anderson requested immediate reinforce-
ments and garrisons for all the forts, ** if the govemm»'nt determines to keep command of the harbor."
It was a much less determined letter which had caused the recall of Col. Gardner, but Major
Anderson's demand found a mr)st energetic supportf-r, much to the discomfiture, undoubtedly, of the
Secretary of War, in the person of the Secretary of State, the venerable Mr. Lewis Cass. In spite of this
the Southern faction in the War-Department succeeded in frustrating completely all attempts to secure
reinforcements. In conseijiience General Cass resigned his office as Secretary of State on the 17th of De-
cember. A delegation from South Carolina was in the meanwhile ''negotiating" with the President
about maintaining the " Relative Military Status " in Charleston Harbor. The members of the Delega-
tion found fault with Anderson, who had moved his garriscm from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter on De-
cember 28th. In face of the aspect of an imminent outbreak the Major had thought it best to occupy the
latter fort after spikinir the guns and destroying the gun-carriages in Moultrie. The North was delighted
at this *• audacious" move, unnec«fssarily thcjugli. since the people were under the wrong impression that
the War-Department or th»' Pn sident had caused this move. However, the general outburst of patriotic
sentiment in the Northern States com[»elled the President to approve Anderson's move. Major Anderson
was not only in a ditlicult, but alno extremely delicate and morally desperate position. Imagine his
feelings at reading a l»'tt<r fmm the S«'cretary of War which, among other things, contained the following
passages: ** Under these instructions" — p-ft-rring to the verbal instructions received by Major Buell and
requesting the Commander in cas*; of an attack to n-sist the attack«^rs to the last extremity — "yoa might
infer that you are re<iuired to make a vain and u>«:ler«s nai.Titice of yr)ur own life and the life of the men
under your command, uixai a m« n- point of iionor. Thi- is far from the President's intentions .... It is
neither expected nor desip.d that you r-h'iuld '-xposi' ymir own life or that of your men in a hopelefli
conflict in d«ft'ns«f of thiSf forts. If th^y are ir.V'-nd .^r attaekfd by a force so superior that resistance
would, in your jud;;nH'nt» be a useless wa.-t»: *)i life it will be y-tur duty to yield to necessity, and make
the best terms in your power.
This will be the conduct of an hoiji,r:i!"i", hrav-- and h Jinari"- nttitr.-r, and you will bo fully Justified in
such action. These onh?rs are strictly ••o/iJid-ritiai .;iri<l ii«.r to be eommunicated t^ven to the officers under
your command without close n»'cessity.''
By the trend of public opinion in th*- Nt)rih, pp.sid'-nt, Huehanan was forced furthermore to announce
in a message to Congn-ss, on the >*th nf Jrin-iary, lv5!, tli:it Ij-- f*-lc it an imperative duty to hold the
Charleston forts as public property. On Decern bt^r J9th .Secretary of the War Floyd deemed it timelj to
hand in his resignation.
.' . - '.. r. .
— 8 —
In the meantime the South Carolina militia had taken possession of the abandoned forts Moultrie and
Gastle Pinckney, and on the 80th of December the militia-men seized the United States arsenal in
Charleston. Batteries were begun to be built by the South Carolinaians about Sumter the day after its
occupation by the little National force of nine officers and seventy-three men.
On the 0th of January, UB61, the merchant steamer '' Star of the West " tried to make the entrance of
the harbor, with a relief-force of 200 men under Lieutenant Wood ; but, one of the newly erected land
batteries opening fire at her, the vessel turned back to sea.
On the 11th of January the Commander at Fort Sumter received the peremptory demand of the
(Jovemor of South Carolina to surrender the fort. The intrigues planned during the following weeks to
cause the National garrison to be withdrawn are so many that there is not space enough here to narrate
them in detail. They all failed. According to Lieut.-Col. Thomas A. Anderson, who certainly for good
reasons must be considered the main authority on this subject, Major Robert Anderson himself was of the
opinion that " all three forts or none should have been held." As to the Commander's reluctance to take
the initiative in opening fire upon the seceded and aggressive Carolinians it must be said that had he done
so Kentucky, his native State, would beyond all doubt have been lost for the Union, not to mention
several other difficult complications that would have considerably increased the already heavily em-
barassed situation for the North.
On the same day the '* Star of the West" started south on her resultlcss relief-trip, the 5th of January,
there was a secret caucus held in Washington by the Southern leaders in which the first real plain for the
rebellion was laid out and sanctioned by four resolutions which it is not deemed necessary to reproduce
here.
On the 4th of March, 1861, Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated as President and four weeks later he gave
orders to send a relief-squadron to Fort Sumter. Thereupon the Southern General Beauregard demanded
again the surrender of the fort and, this being refused by Anderson, opened fire on April the 12th. After a
defense of thirty-four hours until, according to Major Anderson's official report, ** the quarters were en-
tirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge walls seriously injured, the magazine sur-
rounded by fiames, its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three carriages of powder
only being available, and no provisions remaining but pork," the Union Commander accepted the terms of
evacuation offered by the Southern General. On Sunday, the 14th of April, the small Union force marched
out of the fort, with colors fiying and drums beating ; the dies were cast, the inevitable must now take its
course.
On that same Sunday President Lincoln wrote down his proclamation, issued on the 15th, in which he
called for 75,000 militia for three months, stating " that the laws of the United States have been for some
time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed in the States . . . (follow the
names of the seven original secession States), by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the
ordinary course of judicial proceedings or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." A special session
of Congress was called for July the 4th.
The result of this proclamation must have been astounding to even the most fervent and enthusiastic
patriot in the Union ; the Confederates were certainly very disagreeably shaken by it ; for the whole vast
North moved forward as one man ; it was as if one single, huge, irresistible wave of the most thrilling en-
thusiasm had seized the twenty millions of the North. As if by magic recruiting stations appeared every-
where, from every public or suitable private building the Stars and Stripes were wafting, the inspiring
guide-mark for the eager and ubiquitous volunteer seeking where to enlist.
But the real magnitude of the step taken by the South, and of the task for whose final solution both
sides were clamoring now, with the certainty of utter ruin as a result for at least one of them, was then
in no way comprehended or felt by those who now prepared to grapple with it. Not until after the four
fearful years did people begin to realize what it had meant and what had to be met to save the Union and
secure its future growth and prosperity.
There was no military or naval preparedness then whatever in the vast country. The North had the
crude advantage of numbers, as two to one, in the raw material ; the South could pride itself of having
gained for its cause the ablest trained naval and military leaders from the '' Old Service." In the Old
Navy ft was one of its characteristics that while the seamen came almost exclusively from the North the
-«-
o*«Twb^]ming msjoritj of Uie line-ffficen wen
HuuilienivK -, uid tt ihv finit Kigsi of liif
impeitditi!; war orer frnty peroeni
of t]] tlic usvaJ officers vent wirfa
the South. 60 much freaur tfae
boaor tlien to tlie most famous of
our Bea^LetueB, Old Farraput, who
was Btationed in Virginia at that
critical period aod at the time
when Robi-rt £. Lee caFt his fat-e
with that of his Btate, refused to
be "drafcooned out of the Union
with Virginia." — Another feature
thai CDUiiti-d much mon.- to the ad-
vantage of tlif South tliaii the one just
tnc'Otiiiiii-d WOK tlio colotiBuI SfSlvm of
, «tplonw i-HtsblJHhed by t]ie friends of Con-
faderacr stWaiiliiiigtoii. Duringlhegreaier part
itf tlie war 110 iui[)onuiit mcaifuru was talcen or order
iMUt-il by till- Fncliral uittluirillcii without the Confederate
hesdijuartcrs iM'iiig luinii'diiiti'ly imd jiromptly informed of their
full (souLenbi and rtiach. NriviT hi'fort' or afttT had an attacker been
(.>nalil«d to olMwrvii snd report to ojii-iiiy and fully thi' ways and means
bUuppunejit was trying to prcpan' fur defi-ni«e. And bo peculiar were
the uircuouluiuieit that no romody wuh found againut this all-perrading
While the raw roglinentii of tht; Union, jiourinK into the Capitol as
faat as they ouuld Iw gollKn toKi-Lhcr, wi-re ctiuipiK'd and drilled in orer-
faiulu In ordL'r to ■i!<;iiri> thn duri-iiiie of WaHhinRton, the strugf^le in
MiwourJ, Ki'iiliicky and Maryland ri>r dii'idinR titcir prefi^runce in the
(juuilioo iK'camo morn mid inciru iuti-iixc, and the formation of West-
Virginfa an a Ki'iiarale atitl autl-nluvery Suite was realizing. ■
Thv ttrtit hluodithi'd oociirrnd nii the lOlh of April, IDei, at Baltimore,
whi!n, twii duyi aflrr ihu I'n'aiiii'nt'H priK'hii nation, the Sixth Massa-
chiiBtttts Infantry arrived tliero on iin way ti> 'Washington. On tliat day
tlie inoh HlluukL-d a liatiallon uf ihiH ri-Khni'nt which had to march across
ths city to reach iti rallriiad stiitinn. The moh, calling the soldiers
"nigger-thk'ven" and similar niinicH, finally llred into the battalion
whirh r>:liirn>'d thi: tirv. K.viral of the rioters were killed and also
jr IxMlien wire Hint haik fur liunul In lliiir native Stati — they irere the first of an
of " vieliinH iif iIk' wiir" l<i fiillow. I'ln- <-x<rili'nient in Maryland was aroused by
iixily in favcir uf tin- Smith lliul nuuiy rnioniHts iH'Heved this t>tatc then lost for
Ui..
«i :;;ird of Apri
III fur its pcrformen
< the Umt "Mi'dalB of Honor*'
iii<'d Sliitis triHips ivlLioh wtrt! surrendered to
111! hilliT liail dt'chired llieir secession, was the small
iiu-iit of Ihi' Kiglitli V. S. Infantry. The secessionist
ni and mi'ii fonniiig the Rarriitiin were made prison-
! li<-st tiny ciiiiid. At Ihe wuKKtsiion of an officer.
I.ii.iiii:nnnt lljirt/, lu-onnii-commiHi'iiiiM-d ollii->r«, S-rgiiint-Majrir J<Mi'|ih K. Wilson and Corporal John C.
red in the former heud(|UBrten-otllee llie Itug wliieh the ngiinuiit had carried through the
l)«l',ji.
illiappeiied i> dm) wlii''li M'l-ii
I'siinl ti yi-ar later. .Vnioiig lli<>~e ) 1
rnetil, i>r tlie m'l-edin); Slati-M Hliiirtly iiriiT I
nl. Ht Nini Aiiliinio, Texan, held liy a (ti-ttieli
n Inii.ni s.-i/ed the post, and the f'^w olh..-
Mleil at onee and )u-rmitted ti> «•■ iii>rtli ihi
Uexican War, took the torn colora from the staff, and Hesse concealed it by winding It around his ban
body. Tliey passed unmolested through the dense' line of Secessionist sentinels and left San Antoaio the
next da; for the North. On the 20th of May they turned the flag over to the regiment at Washington,
D. C. Both Wilson and Hesse were awarded the Uedal of Honor for fearlessness and loyalty, and thus
their names arc heading the distinguished list of heroes to which almost every subsequent battle in this
great war furnished new additions.
On the 24th of May occurred the killing of Colonel Ellsworth, the commander of the Now York Fire
Zouaves. On that night this regiment, being one of four detached to occupy the Arlington Heights in pro-
tection of Washington, reached Alexandria where a Confederate flag had been long observed flying from
the staff of a hotel. Ellsworth himself tore it down. While he was coming down the stairs the proprietor
murdered him by firing a shotgun into him. One of the accompanying soldiers shot the murderer dead
immediately, and Ellsworth's name became a by-word of great power at the time being.
In Missouri monnwhile the crisis had attained its climax. Governor Claiborne F. Jackson with. Southern
sympathies, called out the State militia to go into a camp of instruction near St. Louis during the first
week of May. As tlie 2i\000 stand of arms in the Government arsenal there had been removed in time by
the officer in cliarge. Captain Lyon, to Springfield, III, Jackson asked for and obtained the necessary
supply of arms and cannon from the Confederate authorities. General John Fremont having pointed out
to the President the utmost importance of the possession of the immediate Mississippi Valley, and conse-
quently, tlic State of Missouri, the Federal authorities sent a small reinforcement placed under the com-
mand of tlie fearless Captain Lyon mentioned above. Ljon had gathered a force, mostly consisting of
Germans, at St. Louis and from the neighboring counties, armed it in haste and, marching it out to the
State Camp, surrounded the latter aud caused the State forces, about six hundred and thirty men, to
surrender. A great crowd had by this time gathered witnessing the spectacle, and as their sympathies
were with the South, the clash was inevitable atid came quick. As the mob insulted Lyon's troops and
even tired into them one of Lyon's German regiments fired back killing twcnty-eiglit of the rioters, men,
women and children. The prisoners were paroled twenty-four hours later. But the capture of this camp
and the accompanying bloodshed had greatly increased the antipathy among the State populace against
the North, and the indefatigable Lyon saw himself compelled to resort to arms again. On the 17th of
June he dispersed a force of State militia at Boonville and caused the Governor to flee. However, in spite
of his energy, the outcome of the First Bull Run nourished the flame of Southern enthusiasm anew, and it
was mily after Fremont had taken possession of the State with an overwhelming Federal force that its ad-
herence to the Unit; was finaliy secured. Lyon fell flghting the Missourians and Arkaiisans at Wilson's
Creek near Springfield, on the 10th of August. This extraordinary man, a bachelor, left all his property,
at the value of about (30,000, to the Federal Government for war purposes.
Kentucky intended from the beginning to remain neutral although the greater part of the populace
sympathized with the South. Neutrality proved, of course, to be impossible as soon as the war began
raging all around. While H great number of individual Kentuckians took service with the South the
Union Government Bucceeded, though, in saving the State as such tor the Union which became an ac-
knowledged fact during the fall of '61.
Maryland's adherence to the cause of the North whs secured during May although this State furnished
many champions for the Confederacy on the numerous battlefields.
While thus the haze was slowly or rapidly raised from over the doubtful iKirder slave-states the
first regular encounter of the great war, tho " First Battle of Bull Run," came to i>ass on the 21st of
July, 1861.
— s —
THE FIRST BATTLE OF BULL RUN
/^■Considerations other than strictly military compelled the Federal authorities
^^-^ to inaugurate a campaign toward Richmond as early as the beginning of
July although the army in and around Washington, under command of General
Irwin McDowell, was yet in no way trained and fitted for such a task. But the
northern populace, impatient, although ignorant of the circumstances of war, was
crying incessantly their '^ on to Richmond,'' and it became imperative to do some-
thing to smother this growing restlessness.
On the natural line of defense formed by the Bull Bun the Confederate General
G. T. Beauregard was known to hold a position with over 20,000 troops to cover
Manassas Junction, then the railroad centre of Northern Virginia, with General
Joseph E. Johnston and about 10,000 men in the Shenandoah Valley as a possible
support. McDowell was to offer battle to Beauregard while General Patterson was
sent with a force to prevent Johnston from joining the Confederate main force.
McDowell's army of five divisions, these under Generals Hunter, Heintzelman,
Tyler, Miles and Rnnyon, reached the neighborhood of the Bull Run on July 18th.
On this day the outposts of the opposing forces came together in a skirmish at
Blackburn's Ford. In this engagement Private Chas. F. Rand, of the Twelfth New
York Infantry, gained the Medal of Honor by distinguished bravery. The enemy's
overwhelming tire having driven all of his battalion to the rear he held his ground
until the Southerners, impressed with such uncommon loyalty and courage, would
not fire at this single, brave man. After his ammunition had been spent he
succeeded in working his way back unhurt and reached his command.
On the 21st the main forces of the opposing armies came together at Sudley's
Ford and here the real battle of the " First Bull Run " commenced.
Tyler's demonstration at the Stone Bridge, which was to have enabled
Bumside's flanking column to fall upon the enemy's rear, was feeble, and the flank
movement was discovered, and met by Evans with a detachment. The rebels were
repulsed, and the center of the action was transferred to the Henry House plateau,
where the Confederates were re-enforced and the Union Army was at length
entirely routed, falling back to Washington in utter confusion. The Union Army
lost in killed, wounded, and missing 2,952 men, while the Confederates lost 1,782
men. The first severe battle was lost for the Union, still there were cases of indi-
vidual distinction which brought the Medal of Honor to several men on the Union side.
One of the men thus distinguished was Lieutenant Adelbert Ames, of the
famous GriflBn Battery, the D Battery of the Fifth U. S. Artillery, which went into
the battle with Porter's, the first brigade of the second division. When the fatal
moment came where the two batteries. Griffin and Ricketts, were exposed to the
tremendous close range fire of the enemy on the plateau near Henry House, and
1^ their infantry supports failed them completely, Ames who commanded a section*
^ struck down by a shot shattering his thigh. Sitting on the limber he con«
tinned to direct the fire of his section in the midst of the terrible fracas of shot and
shell until a wheel of the gun carriage was smashed and the gun disabled. Under
the galling fire of the enemy Corporal McGoogh and the remaining men of the
decimated gun crews fixed up a spare wheel as directed by Amea, and succeeded to
bring this gun away, the other five and those of Ricketts' battery were lost.
Another heroic act was performed by Sergeant John G. Merritt, Company K,
First Minnesota Infantry. Just before the battle he obtained permission to take
four men and attempt the capture of a Confederate fiag. He selected Sergeant
Dudley, Privates Duffee and Grimm and a man whose name remains unknown.
When Ricketts' battery sent grape and cannister into the enemy's lines Merritt
thought his opportunity come ; he and his companions rushed upon a Confederate
color-bearer. They knocked the man down, Merritt seized the fiag, and they tried
to make their way back. But the Confederates pursued them firing furious volleys
which killed Grimm, the unknown man and Duffee and wounded Merritt in the leg.
Still he held on to his prize until a Confederate, overtaking the wounded man,
struck him down with the butt of his musket and recovered the fiag. Merritt,
assisted by Dudley, finally managed to reach his own regiment.
A DARING ESCAPE FROM LIBBY
PRISON
"AT BullRun.Va., July 21, 1861,this officer, then a first
/A lieutenant, and R. Q. M., Thirty-eighth New York
Volunteers, took a rifle and fought with his regiment
in ranks. When the regiment was forced back, he
voluntarily remained on the field with the wounded,
was taken prisoner, confined in Libby Prison, thence
escaped, and after great suffering and privation, made
his way into the Union lines and rejoined his regi-
ment,"
The above is the brief, oflScial record of a feat
of gallantry and an experience of hardship and suffer-
ing which is deserving of more detailed description.
After the battle, when his position was at the rear
with his wagon trains, Lieutenant Murphy was re>
peatedly urged to leave the field with the routed army, but steadfastly refused,
on the ground that not one man could be spared from care of the wounded, and
chose rather to risk death or capture than leave the men to die uncared for.
His zealous and efficient aid to the surgeons won him the sobriquet of
"Doctor," which clung to him at Manassas and Richmond prisons, where he
was sent after his capture. He says: "After reaching Manassas, the rebels, be-
0HABLE8 J. KURFHT,
IBt. Llent., B8th N. Y. VolB.
Higbest rank slUlned: Colonel
Born In Stockport, England, JuneB,
— 8 —
lieving me to be a doctor, offered me parole, but when I found that a sufficient
number of surgeons was to return to attend the wounded, I peremptorily re-
fused to accept it, and was taken prisoner to Richmond, from which place, with
two companions, Captain J. R. Hurd and Colonel Wm. H. Raynor, I effected
an escape, after the most unheard of sufferings and privations."
There was a large number of prisoners, sick or wounded crowded together
in the buildings, and the suffering was so terrible that several Union surgeons,
who were prisoners, were permitted to assist in caring for them. Upon giving
their parole, they were provided with red rosettes, and allowed to pass from
one prison to another, and also to go about the city. Among these was Lieu-
tenant Murphy, though not on parole, and, when not on hospital duty, always
accompanied by an armed guard.
Captain Hurd, Colonel Raynor, and Lieutenant Murphy planned to escape, by
passing the guards, wearing red rosettes cut from Captain Kurd's red flannel
shirt. They succeeded in getting out of the city, and started on their painful
and hazardous journey north, traveling as rapidly as possible through the night,
and hiding in the thickets by day, never moving forward by daylight, unless
under cover of the dense forest, and never free from apprehension of pursuit
and discovery. Though unarmed they had resolved to fight against any odds,
and to sell their lives as dearly as possible rather than submit to recapture.
They suffered terribly from sore feet, and even more from thirst, but, undis-
couraged, pressed on. For eleven days they struggled on over rough country
roads, through underbrush and dense woods, enduring hunger and thirst, pain
and fatigue, chased by rebel sympathizers, passing themselves off as rebel sol-
diers, encountering every kind of obstacle, hardship, and suffering, but still un-
dismayed, and determined to reach their goal.
When they reached Lower Cedar Point it seemed that their troubles must be
over, for a Union Revenue Cutter was anchored in the river, but the captain
made no response to their hail, and soon weighed anchor and sailed down the
river. This disappointment was a terrible blow to the poor fugitives, who, like
shipwrecked sailors, had been elated to the highest pitch in hope of relief, by a
sail on the horizon, only to be cast into greater despair than ever by its disap-
pearance. They passed the night in anxiety and discouragement, surrounded
by the rebels, and tormented by reflection on their past suffering and present
situation.
In the morning, however, the Cutter returned, and the captain decided to
take the risk of coming closer and taking them aboard. The neighborhood was
dangerous, and he had thought their signal in the night a decoy of the enemy
to get his men ashore.
The three were sent to Washington on a tug, and when they stepped ashore
Captain Hurd said: "Boys, I have lived twenty-seven days in the Rocky Moun-
tains on mule's meat, with the snow four feet deep, but that was nothing to
the hardships we have just gone through."
•A HERO OF THREE BRAVE DEEDS
WALTER JAUIEBON,
IN June, 1861, Lieutenant, then Sergeant Jamieson,
first distinguished himself as a soldier. It was at
Arlington Heights, Va., and in reference to the deed
he saya : " We had a drove of forty head of cattle
in camp, and the rebels managed to get them away
one night. The officers and men were furious at
the loss, because beef was needed to properly pre-
pare the men for the work in the trenches. A de-
tail was ordered out from each regiment of cavalry
and infantry present. I was one of the detail of
the Twenty-eighth. We marched past Bailey's cross-
roads on the Fairfax Courthouse road, deploying
Born .t Boulogne. F«nK.i8ia. ^^^ scatteriug thiough the woods in search of the
missing cattle, but without success. Late in the afternoon we were recalled
and ordered to return to camp.
"I made up my mind to find those cattle, so I stole away alone, expecting
to return to camp during the night. About sundown I found the missing
cattle hidden in a ravine, and started to drive them to camp. A man who
had charge of them came rushing up. Seeing my gray militia uniform, he mis-
took me for a Confederate and yelled out : ' You damn fool, don't you know that
the Yankee cavalry is out after these cattle ! Keep 'em here until night.' By this
time he had come up to me, so I brought my rifle down on him, and told him
I was one of those 'Damned Yankees': that I was sorry to have come across
him, but as the affair stood he would have to help me drive the cattle into
camp. The arguments I used were strong and convincing and he agreed.
"The two of us brought the cattle in before daybreak, but at one time my
success looked dubious in the extreme. I stumbled over a stump, had a bad
fall and my gun landed several feet away from me. The rebel got to it first,
but I was upon him before he could straighten up. We had a little tussle,
during which my early training in boxing served me well, and I frightened him
so that he tried no more tricks on me during the remainder of the trip. We
reached Bailey's crossroads and the outside pickets before daybreak in safety.
The sight of the cattle was countersign enough, and we passed all the pickets.
I took the rebel to the guardhouse and reached my own tent just as reveille
sounded at headquarters."
From June 1 to July 20, 1861, there were frequent Bkirmiahes and engagements in Virginia, West
Virginia, Marylniid, and Missutiri, in wliich the advantnge vraa in favor of the Federals. At none of th6
eng^ements during this period did the opposing forces exceed 4,000.
LiBDTBNAKT Jahiesoiv's second conspicuous act of bravery is related as fol<
lows: "On the 29th of July, 1864, we occopied the entrenchments on the right
of the line of works in front of Petersburg, Va., our brigade resting on the
bank of the Appomattox River. The fighting during the night had been severe
and the intense heat of the previous day had not abated when morning came.
RECAPTURING A DROVE OF CATTLE
"After swallowing my coffee and hard-tack, I took my rifle and went to mj
lookout hole to see how the field appeared by daylight. It looked far worse
than the day before, most of the wounded had died. The body of the captain
that I had so often looked at regretfully was nowhere to be seen. What could
have happened to him, I wondered. I was sure he could not have been carried
away, for we had watched the field too closely by the musketry flashes for that
to be accomplished. During the forenoon some of our men made him out, over
near the other side, and, sure enough, he was alive, lying on his hack, fanning
—12-
himself with a rebel hat — a black one with a very broad rim. Some rebels
had gotten to him during the night and swapped hats.
"The heat was terrible, but the firing on both sides never ceased. Towards
evening it was reported that we were to be relieved as soon it grew dark. As
I gazed at the poor captain, my feelings got the better of me, and I made up
my mind not to let the poor fellow die there in agony. As the evening closed
in, my resolution to save him grew more fixed. I wanted it to be just dusk,
but not so dark that the men could not see the loopholes of the enemy and
make it dangerous for any one to look through.
"So I studied the gloaming. I got an empty cracker box, stood it on end
against the breastworks and, climbing upon it, told the men to throw it over
after me. Then out I sprang, headforemost, with such force that I landed
away out on the abatis among the dead, where I tried to appear as one whose
last fight is fought. I kept quiet for some minutes, and saw that my comrades,
whom I had left, were getting to work in earnest and firing rapidly, which
would keep the enemy from the loopholes. This gave me fresh courage, and I
started to crawl along the ground, pushing the dead bodies so as to cover my
movements on my return.
"When I reached the spot where the captain lay, I could feel the concus-
sion of the rebel guns upon my face. I lay alongside of him and whispered to
him to roll upon my back. With my load I started to crawl towards our lines,
making a few inches with each effort, until I reached the abatis. I could not
pull him through, and asked some one to lend me a hand. The orderly ser-
geant of Company C, of our regiment, jumped over to me. It was now getting
dark, so we lifted him over the sticks and threw him into the arms of our com-
rades. I found a stretcher, and with the aid of some men carried him to the
Ninth Corps Hospital."
Again at Fort Harrison, Lieutenant Jamieson and Sergeant Wolff captured
the fort entirely unaided.
"Fort Harrison was one of the many forts upon the main line of the de-
fenses of Richmond, built to resist General McClellan in 1862. The works were
large and substantial and mounted sixteen heavy guns. To capture this fort it
would be necessary for some one to lead on the boys, who, though brave enough,
could not face the withering fire of the protected enemy. Giving my gun to
Wolff and telling him to follow me, I seized our fiag and started to try to
plant it on the enemy's fortifications. With a rush we reached a place beneath
their walls, and then, with his aid, I crawled to the top, letting down the flag-
staff for him to crawl up the side. Then another scramble, and we stood at
the top of their earthworks. At the sight of the flag the Confederates, thinking
we were, followed by large numbers, turned and fled, all bnt a few who sur-
rendered.
"Thereupon I waved the flag around my bead and planted it on the top of
the defense. Our men now came up and took possession of the fort, which we
held against all efforts of the rebels to retake it."
ONLY SEVEN
AOOORDINQ to the
cial report, Private A.
J. Knowles was honored
for " removing dead and
wounded under heavy
fire." He relates his
experience briefly.
"On the 2l3t of
July, after a des
perate charge on a
hill held by the
rebels, the Second
Maine Infantry, of
which I was a mem-
ber, was ordered to
fall back. The colo-
nel, seeing that a
number of the men
were left where they
had fallen, asked for
volunteers to go witli
him to bring them within
the lines. When the colonel
called for volunteers seven of us
stepped forward and signified our
willingness to go with him.
"The colonel then addressed the
regiment, saying: 'Are these seven men the only ones of the Second Maine who
will follow their colonel to pick up the wounded?'
"Not another man advanced, and, led by the colonel, we proceeded, under a
withering fire, to pick up our wounded and bring them within our lines."
ABIATHfiK J. EN0WLE8.
AN EXCITING CHASE
A PEW days prior to the 10th of August, 1861, the term of service of the
First Iowa Infantry had expired, and they were asked whether they would take
their dischai^es or remain in service until after the expected battle at Wilson's
Creek. The men, with one accord, decided to remain in service, all of them
Wilson's Creek,— In the month of August, 1861, General Lyon, with a force of 5,500, was at Spring
Held, Mo-, confronting 12,000 of the enemy under McCullough and Priee.
After a ekirmieh at Dug Springs an the 1st, the Union force retreated to Springfield.
On the 9th, General Lyon moved against the enemy, sending General Sigel, with 1,300 men and Biz
guns to gain his rear by the right.
The frontal attack, led by General Lyon, was energetic and effective, but the flanking party was over-
whelmed, losing five guns and more than half of its men.
General Lyon was killed at the head of his column, and, the news of SiRel's disaster reaching the
main division, the troops fell back to Springfield. The Union loss was 1,230: the Confederate, 1,096-
being eager for action. Private Nicholas Bou-
quet, a member of Company D of this regiment,
describes his experience in the battle as follows :
"We all wanted to have a whack at the
Rebels before going home, and, a^ luck would
have it, Company D, to which I belonged, along
with Company E, were detailed by Lieutenant-
Colonel Merritt to support Totten's Battery.
This order brought us into a hand-to-hand
contest with the enemy, and, although we
were engaging a superior force, we four
times repulsed them.
"When the retreat of our forces was
ordered, after General Lyon had fallen,
one of the guns of Totten's Battery had
been left behind, because one of its horses
had been killed.
"Being this time on the skirmish line, I was called by the gunner of the
piece to help catch a riderless horse which was galloping about the field be-
tween the lines. To catch this horse was to save the gun from falling into the
enemy's hands — a most important factor in battle.
"The enemy were closing in upon us, but, with the thought of saving the
gun, not heeding the rain of bullets from both lines, we started after the horse,
and in a short time had him. Leadir^ him with all possible haste to the aban-
doned gun, we soon had him hitched to it, and away we went, following the
retreating regiment, aud in a short time had it safely within the lines of our
army."
The first important movement Hfter Bull Rtm, though skirmishes and minor actions were of almost dail;
B the capture of Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, on the 6lh u( February, 1862, followed on
the i6th by the surrender of Fort Donelson and 15,000 Confederate troops. The opL-ralions were conducted
by General Grant in co-operation with Commodore foote and resulted in breaking (he Confederate lines at the
west, giving control of the Mississippi River above VicksLurg to the Federal Government.
New Berne, N,C. — BumBide's attack on New Berne, N. C.,waB a feature of his Roanoke Expedition, in
Juiuarj, 1862, in which he was supported by the fleet in command of Flag Officer tiuldeboroiigh. The force
consisted of 31 gunboats, 11,600 troops, and a fleet of small vessels for transportation.
On the 14th of March he attacked New Berne.
The place was taken, together with 46 heavy guns, 3 batteries of light artillery, and a supply of
■tores, while Buroside's toss was 90 killed and 46S wounded-
KBSUUtiD i.ooc. ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION
AND A WOUNDED COMRADE
Ah"i'Ktc iwo Uuui-K ot liartl tighttu^ at the
lianle of Shiloh," says Private Klwood N".
Williaiu.-*. "\vy wt'tv oixlerwi to Iwat a retreat.
vvilbi[iu'lhir[v->vi-uuil AlaL>uuia lufanery close at
our lu'til.<. tiuc loixt*. rhoutfli iuailet(iiate. fooKfat
iu'liiii|{i>, .iml for .1 utitti rtmiuiaiueii i ■^uci.'ess-
lit 'lui rttuit >ii tbo actiuu i 'h>\ <-oiitaiiiiDs a
■ >i iiiiiMUiiilinu .vas tiauverreativ
bt< iiu<-v ' '>>itiiit:<i 'iuLlti!M.tU -va^ in.-
itti itia tiiiiieuiuK.'iy ■[iiiiHi ''or ■^ol-
uti iif M\. ■■V. '. "'nw I 'ormer
imi i>iiaiiwi>-i '1 iu "his.
vi'vui ■lie' :tiKiNH!a apis r'nim
It ■met u >*at-:' : :iiuer ■iie
•ill -uies. \f ^fif '"iiiinftit*! "o
,uu.'> -uu ^l!.re*. W ■-ufueu che
'Lit 1 l: 111- * L- • e!>* •'?t;iiriuuic
.;uu p\(.it .!io ■.'iIblu
• icn 1
le-
= !M] ' Kiiiii :ie
^iVl
VHIH
r
IMM
■m*
THE MITCHELL RAIDERS
^"^■^^
(I) Va>k Wood,
Printe. Co. C, iial Ohio Inf.
(6) Wm. Benbihgbb,
Priv«te. Co. C. Jtat Ohio Inf.
(tl)*SAM'l.. StAVRHS,
Private. Co. E. Jjd Ohio Inf.
(16) Jacob Parroit,
Private, Co. K, jjd Ohio Int.
U)W.J. KHmiiT,
Private, Co, R, iiM Ohio Inf.
(7) Wll. Reddick.
Corp.. Co. B. jjd Ohio Int.
(11) B. H. Masoh.
StrtU Co, K. list Ohio Inf.
(l7l*JOHBM. SCOTT,
SergH.. Co. F, jist Ohio Inf.
(3) Dah-l. a. Dohhkv,
Corp., Co. 11. .wl Ohio Int.
(8) JOTlIf WOLLAU.
PrivBte. Co, C, Hd Oblo Inf.
(13) M. J. Hawkins.
Corp., Co. A, J3 Ohio Inf.
(.8) Andrkw Murphy.
(4) ROUT. IIUFCIIM.
Private, C«.ll,ji»l 01,1,. Inf.
(9) W. A. Fdlleb.
(Ml'MAklAKA. ROM,
Ser^'t-Maj.. id Ohio Inf.
(I9( W«. PITTINGER,
Serg't-Maj., net Ohio Int.
(St'J.A. Wii.«.«.
Private, L-<>.C,iii>it01iloInr.
,ro)W.W. Brown,
(15) JOHK R. FORTKR.
Private. Co, G, iiM Oblo Inf.
.J.J.ANDRBWB
JAMWI MM> rii
• Hau'l.Roikitw>n
• Wh. Campbell
• Perry Shadrack
KoM.-*ll.n«ea at AlUnM,
«.., u ipleiL
THE MITCHELL RAID
ONB of the most interesting nnd thrilling incidents of the early campaigns of
1862, as an exploit of reckless daring, if not of successful strategy, was this
celebrated railroad raid, organized with the purpose of destroying the rebel line
of communication with Chattanooga, and placing that important stronghold at
the mercy of General Mitchell's forces.
The raid was led by James J. Andrews of Kentucky, who had previously
acted as a apy for (jeneral Buell. The expedition consisted of twenty men of
the Second. Twenty-first, and Thirty-third Ohio regiments, who volunteered for
the service, and two civilians.
Wearing citizens' clothes, and carrying only side-arms, they proceeded from
General Mitchell'-s camp at Shelbyville, Tenn., to Chattanooga, in detachments
of three or four, representing themselves to l>e Kentuckians on their way to
join the Confederate Army. From Chattanooga they made their way to Mari-
etta. Oa.. which was to be the starting point for the raid.
On the morning of the I2th of April they boarded a train loaded with rebel
troops and ammunition, and rode to Big Shanty (now Kenesaw
StationI, having bought tickets to different stations along
the line to disarm suspicion. At Big Shanty the
train stopped, and the c<mductor, en-
gineer, and many of the pas-
sengers went out to
breakfast, leaving I
the train un-
guarded
— 19—
■
The little band immediately took possession, uncoupled a section of the
train, consisting of three empty box-cars, the locomotive and tender, and started
at full speed on their wild ride through the enemy's country to Chattanooga.
The plan was, by cutting the telegraph wires and tearing up the track, to
destroy all means of communication east and south, preventing the re-enforce-
ment ot the garrison at Chattanooga, and leaving the way clear for General
Mitchell, who, with a detachment from his division^ was at this very moment
moving on the town by rail from Huntsville, Ala., one hundred miles to the
west.
The train was run at a furious rate of speed, stopping occasionally to enable
the men to tear up the rails and cut the wires. At the stations where he was
compelled to stop, Andrews replied to all inquiries that he was running an im-
pressed powder train through to General Beauregard.
The only diflSculties ahead were the extra trains flying south from General
Mitcheirs forces, whose approach had stampeded the enemy. The danger was
all in the rear, where another engine in charge of Anthony Murphy, master-
mechanic and superintendent of the road, assisted by the conductor and engi-
neer of the captured train, was gradually gaining on them in spite of the
obstacles in its way. The pursuers had started on a hand car, which had run off
the track at one of the breaks in the road, had been obliged to proceed on foot
for some distance, and had finally pressed into service a locomotive and a com-
pany of soldiers.
Delayed by the south-bound trains as well as by the necessary work of de-
struction, the Union men lost valuable time, while the Confederates seemed able
to surmount all obstacles. The chase was as desperate as the flight, the issue
almost equally vital to pursuer and pursued.
At Kingston the Federals were only four minutes ahead, and, at their next
halt, the whistle of the enemy's engine was heard while they were pulling up
the rails. The rebels saw the obstruction in time to avoid a wreck, but had to
leave their engine and start again on foot. The relief to the fugitives, however,
was slight, for, before going far the rebels stopped and reversed a south-bound
train, and continued the chase.
From Calhoun there was a clear track to Chattanooga, but the pursuers were
gaining rapidly. The fugitives dropped a car which was taken up and pushed
ahead by the engine in the rear. The Federals broke out the end of their last
box-car, and dropped cross- ties on the track, checking slightly the progress of
the rebels, and gaining enough time to get in wood and water at two stations.
Several times they stopped, and almost succeeded in lifting a rail, but each
time the Confederates, coming within rifle range, compelled them to give up
the attempt. As a final desperate effort they set fire to their third and last car,
and as they passed over a long, covered bridge at Oostenaula, uncoupled it and
left it in the center of the bridge. The Confederates were upon the bridge before
-Dm: t*«»r ie^ ^w»tf iiiv*i imftwu-T. axti the pnrsning engine, dashing throngh
'".w*- Kwiu' <juf TA/'kiK uni'n- -tiie our l»efote it to the next side-track. Every
t* -r n**i. -«:,«* toi' llli^f^lUM■ tmuld devise and reckless courage execute, and,
<.- u*- ■«;- ■ lifosttf.fit ir i'ut.x'esE. ii vns plain that escape was impossible. Fuel
^t* .A— .r- /.«■ j«f. tuimpii tiie Icoomotive was urged to its greatest speed,
^t>..j...f ^,t viTiA-.'iui^ imn- ia- tremfodous impulse, it was a question of very
t.^' ,.:,.. .iMi ^i,n- I" rriiuiti iia-vt la be aljandoned.
." t ■s.cftn^ » umv uuwu tlit signal was given for a general sauve-qui-peai,
'•:*■ ■„„ ...u .>!./• vii* a: iiuuf ov*Tpt;twered. They were taken to Atlanta, where
„. ^ ..-•„. ,..,. e,. ..ri m' ul^ uiyu »'*■« tried by court-martial, condemned, and
'.- .;.,., r.^i. j..fiir it, jiriMrju until the following October, when, agreeing
- / ■■'■ -•-:..■> uiit: uea-iiL by a bullet would be preferable to the scaffold,
■^ ' .' .' '•' '- *5.-;iij/t . b vMuturt quite as desperate as that upon which they
/,(4- ..•/,_•<„.< ,. :u. njiritiji;. but. fortunately, more successful. By a concerted
i-T' ,/., .,,,. v,^, ,!.u*iUr tuey unuiaged to escape, but only eight of them reached
t;'.'f.' '"^. < ....>■!■ -H'-Uiif txpfrrience, thus described by one of the survivors:
, '■: . ,•■:■ -ii.^jiii tiayt aud nighbf, for the nights should be counted, since
;,',';>■ - i/y . I Qa'-t.iiHue «>■ uuadfl most progress, we reached the Federal lines,
/'.",'". -„<' . ,'i w. rikt^liAfjuis. We were forced to wade streams, swim swift-
/';,'■■■ / /. .;(. fH,i..f 1110 uulaj 111!', and at the same time be constantly on the
.','i'v "/;-:-...) ',!.• iiiiimiy. wh<> were always around us. The thought that capture
//.''■." v./.i.i ui-ii';i ii-Ioue kejH us on the march. No person can describe our
•!tH''- f/ '-.'/'. ouiy tuowi: wliat we were forced to endure.
h.- /,'■■■■■ «.iai' iL' hleep was imiKissible. To close our eyes in unconsciousness
iiif-.- •. .,. / <..i-.^iij o1 pursuit by bloodhounds, of the huge scaffold on the out-
'V.V- '*' • ■.-■"'-;;. v^'hvm our friends had been hanged, and where, it was said,
ii> .■" ■. ■ .• .-Li-.u- i,U<f hituie fate; or of a sudden attack in which a bullet would
\lH II i^A.i 11,'Mt: luercifui thau man."
A PLUCKY CHARGE
"i^H THE 16th of April, 1862," Captain Pingree,
V-/ who led the charge at Lee's Mills, Va., nar-
rates "General McClellan confronted the enemy, en-
trenched along the Warwick and south of York-
town. No attempt to force the Hue had been
made, although cannonading at long range and
musketry firing at close quarters had been brisk.
"About the middle of the afternoon two com-
panies of my regimeut, supported by two others
were selected
to attack the
SAMUEL E. FIMQBEZ,
It SBlisburj, N, n„ Aug, I IBM.
enemy's line
on the other
side of the
creek, and to capture and hold a crescent bat-
tery and the lines of rifle pits protecting it.
My company, which headed the assault, was
deployed quite closely. Unclasping their
waist-belts, each held high his cartridge-box
in the left hand and his rifle in the right. As
soon as the batteries on the slope in the rear
ceased firing, both companies started for the
creek. The enemy at the same time opened
fire from the rifle-pits across the stream.
"The water was breast high in the nar-
row channel, but shallower on both sides
of it, about two hundred feet wide, mostly
artificial flowage for a line of defense, and
was further obstructed with felled trees.
" In spite of the deadly fire of the enemy,
the two companies pushed on, and', without
a halt on the other shore, dashed straight
for the rifle-pits and battery, driving the
enemy into the woods. Shouts of triumph
went up and signals of success were
waved back to our lines. The two sup-
porting companies followed us up and
joined in holding the captured works. The
line of the Warwick was broken. We
anzioasly waited for the arrival of the head of the division which was to
follow us if we foood the crossing possible, bnt no assistance came.
"The enemy rallied from their panic, and with several regiment>s hastened
to attack our little party of less than two hundred rifles.
"We had lost heavily while fording the stream, and now the men were fall-
ing fast as the enemy rallied against us in overwhelming force. Messengers
were sent back twice, explaining the situation aud asking for re-enforcements
or orders to fall back.
"As we rushed for the rifle-pita, I received a wound below the left hip,
which for a few moments prostrated me and benumbed my left leg so that I
could not rise, but I soon recovered, and, finding no bones broken, continued to
lead the men on, as our orders were to capture and hold the works till re-
enforcements came. It was a critical moment when the Fifteenth North Caro-
lina came charging down upon us at a run, but the well-directed fire of the
brave Vermouters checked and hurled them back, extending their confusion to
the two Georgia regiments on their right.
" It was at this stage of the fight that my right hand was disabled by a shot
which tore away my right thumb. While these attacking regiments were reor-
ganizing for an assault on our position, the order came to fall back across the
river, which we did, helping our wounded along.
"The fight had lasted forty minutes. Out of the fifty-two oflicers and men
of my company, twenty-seven were killed or wounded, and of the three hun-
dred and ninety-two men engaged, forty-five per cent were killed or wounded."
A GALLANT DRUMMER BOY
DBUHHEB Lanobein was the smallest member of the
drum corps in his regiment, and his face and figure
was so plump and girlish, that he was known to all his
comrades as "Jennie," a nickname given to him by a
soldier of the regiment who said that the lad looked
just like his sweetheart at home in the North.
The battle of Camden, or South Mills, N. C, known
to the Confederates as the battle of Sawyer's Lane,
though not one of the most famous in the War of the
Rebellion, was a hotly contested engagement neverthe-
less. It occurred during the expedition sent to destroy
the Colpeper Lock at the southern end of the Dismal
Swamp Canal, in the rear of the city of Norfolk, Va. One
ot its notable features was a chaige by the Hawkins' " Zous," not so disastrous as
the one at Antietam, but quite as daring. It was during this mad dash that Adju-
tant Thomas L. Bartholomew, who had promised "Jennie's" mother to keep
special watch over her boy, and between whom and the boy the closest com-
radeship existed, was struck by a fragment of an exploding shell, which made a
frightful wound in his neck. He did not fall at once, but in the delirium of
pain sta^ered outside the ranks, and in a
moment was between the hostile lines. In
time of action, it is the duty of the musicians
to act as an ambulance corps; to look after
the wounded and to carry them on stretchers
to the rear. Yet it is not part of the drum-
mer's work to unnecessarily expose himself;
indeed, it is expected that he will shelter him-
self as much as possible, since, if the mem-
bers of the ambulance corps are killed, fight-
ing men must leave the ranks to take their
places. Little "Jennie" Langbein, however,
had no notion of looking out for his own
safety. When the order was given to charge
he went with his regiment, with a sharp eye
for disabled comrades, and especially for Ad-
jutant Bartholomew.
Seeing his friend's terrible position, the
boy rushed up to him through the rain of bullets, and screaming shot and
shell, caught him as he was wandering deliriously and aimlessly about, and
managed to pilot him to a comparatively quiet place to the rear towards the
hospital field.
The wounded man was pronounced by the regimental surgeon "nearly dead"
and "not worth while to remove," but young Langbein would not abandon bis
friend. Securing the assistance of a stronger comrade, he managed to carry the
unconscious man to a house near by.
Later in the day the Confederates were re-enforced, and the Federals had to re-
treat in such haste, that there was no question of taking care of the wounded.
The adjutant would have been abandoned had it not been for the continued
devotion of his little friend, who managed to get him into the army wagon, and
stayed by him till he was safe in the Federal hospital at Roanoke.
JULIUS 0. J. LANOBEIN.
tr, Cu. B. 9th N. Y. Vulu
(Hnivklns' Zuusves).
. St-pL 29, laM. In Germa
jaOHAEL A. DILLON.
"WHAT IN H--L ARE WE
HERE FOR?"
ABOUT four o'clock on the morning of May 5,
1862, Hooker's division, after a night inarch
through a drenching rain, over muddy roads, with
hut two hours of rest, came upon the enemy be- ■
fore Fort Magruder, near Williamsburg, Va. A
hotly contested battle ensued between Hooker's
forces, about nine thousand men, and a vastly
superior number. The Union skirmish line was
advanced through a mass of fallen timber on the
right of "Williamsburg road, close to Fort Magruder,
and kept up a severe fire at short range. Long-
street, who commanded the Confederates' rear, had
passed beyond Williamsburg, hut turned back
with ro-enforcements to crush, if possible, Heintzelman's corps. Chaise after
charge was made from the fort, but could not release the grip with which
Hooker's men held the enemy's left. The battle raged until four o'clock in the
afternoon in a heavy rain. Hookers ammunition was nearly exhausted, and he
had vainly appealed for re-euforcements.
Sumner, coming upon the field, relieved Heintzelman. who hastened to the
field where Hooker was engaged. He gathered drummers, fifers, buglers, and
other musicians to the number of a hundred or more pieces, and directed them
to play. "Play anything. "Yankee Doodle,' 'Hail Columbia,' anything," he
ordered. As the music swelled above the din of the fight with increased volume
and resonance, the failing courage of the wearied men was revived, and the cry
went up: "Hold on, boys, re-enforcements are coming!" Stubbornly and hope-
fully they continued the contest, until Kearney's arrival afforded Hooker's tired,
hut not dispirited men the relief which they sorely needed.
During one of the charges of the enemy it had been found impossible to
withdraw one of our batteries, and four guns fell into the enemy's hands as our
lines were being pressed back. Then occurred the incident which displayed the
courage of young Dillon, and won for him the Medal of Honor awarded by Con-
WIltlllUBlliiTit, Vs.— .\ft€T the eTBcaation of Yorktown bjr G«nersl Magruder, Ma^ 4, 18SS, the
rebels were punueil bj our forces under Hooker. At Williamsburg, on the 5lh. the enemj- made a Btand,
uid the attAck was made by Hooker, who was chtvked by ihe heavy tiring from Fort Magruder. He
wu re-enforced by Gener&I Kearney, and the enemy was eompelled to retire at night.
The Union loes was 3.3X) ; the Coafederate, 1,000.
gresB for conspicnons bravery. Seeing the pieces in the hands of the enemy, he
sprang to his feet and rushed forward, begging his comrades to follow and re-
take the guns. His lieutenant, seeing him thus exposed to the enemy's fire, and
fearing it might be concentrated upon the position which they occupied, shouted
to him; "Get down^ Dillon, you are drawing the enemy's fire."
Dillon exclaimed: "What in hell are we here for? Come on, boys, come on!
We mustn't let them take that battery." And, with arms raised high in air
pleading for men to follow him, he rallied a gallant group, all hoys like himself,
PRIVATE DILLON AT FORT MAGRUOER
rushed into the thickest of the fight, repulsed and drove back the enemy, and
rescued Battery H, First United States Artillery.
Dillon received a bad check shot before success. He was struck in the leg
by a ball, which felled him ; but a moment before the recapture he was venting
his wrath in forcible language at the loss of his musket, which was wrenched
from his grasp by an exploding shell and shattered into fragments. Staunching
the flow of blood, and picking up the musket of a fallen comrade, he pluckily
resumed his place and continued the fight until be had the satisfaction of wit-
nessing the final repulse of the enemy.
— 26 —
On the 18th of June, just prior to the battle of Oak Grove, General Hooker
called for volunteers to take a redoubt of the enemy on the right of the Wil-
liamsburg road. Young Dillon was among the first to report by stepping to the
front. His lieutenant ordered him to fall back, remarking: ''We cannot spare
you; there is going to be desperate work to-day, and we need you with us."
Dillon, who was aching to get another whaLck at the enemy, replied: "So does
General Hooker need desperate work done, and has called for volunteers, and
I am going." He seized his musket, said good-bye to his lieutenant, and joined
what seemed like a forlorn hope. Away they started and were soon charging
across an open field in the face of a deadly fire from artillery and mus-
ketry, leaving many comrades dead and wounded, as they advanced upon the
run. The redoubt was reached, the parapet gained, and Dillon was among
the first in the short, sharp, and deadly conflict, in which he and his comrades
were victorious. They took many prisoners and held the fort until Hooker ad-
vanced his lines.
Another brave deed mentioned in his Medal of Honor award was performed
by Private Dillon on hands and knees. At the battle of the 25th of June, or
the first of the seven days' desperate fighting in front 6f Richmond, during a
lull in front of the Second New Hampshire Volunteers, Dillon performed an
act that displayed his coolness as well as his disregard of the peril to which
he voluntarily exposed himself. He crawled on his hands and knees through
the grass and among the bashes, in advance of the line, into the enemy's camp,
overheard the details of Longstreet's plans, returned safely, and communicated
the information to General Hooker, thereby enabling the general to rearrange
his forces in such a manner as to repulse the enemy.
At the battle of Groveton, on the 29th of August, 1862, in which the Fed-
eral brigade of John Gibbon and part, of Abner Doubleday's were engaged,
Dillon again distinguished himself, but was badly wounded. It was while the
Second New Hampshire were doggedly retreating step by step from the ground
gained before, and attempting to form a new line, that the enemy in turn made
a charge upon them. Sergeant Marshall, who was with Dillon, said: "Come,
Dillon, we have got to go, they are charging us." Dillon answered: "Not be-
fore that color-bearer is downed." He discharged his gun, and lowered both
colors and bearer of the Forty-ninth Georgia, but at the same moment he him-
self dropped, shot through the lungs, the bullet passing through his body and
breaking three ribs. In spite of his desperate wound, after partly recovering and
receiving his discharge, he returned to the army and serv^ed throughout the war.
'LET'S CAPTURE THEIR
COLORS, BOYSl"
W^
Hlghent r
JOHN H. COTME,
Co. B. 30th Nl-w Yurk Inrnntry.
Twsv the enemy were overtaken at
Williamsburg the Third Excelsior,
of the Seventieth New York Volunteers,
was in advance. It was a dark, rainy morn-
ing. A heavy vapor covered the field, and
the smoke of the battle obscured the scene.
As the supporting regiment approached,
the enemy, who were concealed in the
thick woods, sent up the cry : " Show your
colors!" The color-bearer waved the flag,
and, as its folds spread out and showed
the stars and stripes, the rebels advanced
from the woods and opened fire. The fire
was returned so effectively that they were driven back. Another advance, with
re-enforcements, was also repulsed by the valiant Excelsiors.
After several hours of conflict the ammunition became exhausted, and the
New Yorkers were ordered to fall back by companies. Sergeant Coyne's com-
pany, which during the latter part of the
battle was under his command, the cap-
tain and lieutenant having been disabled,
became separated, and a number of them,
missing their way, found themselves with
their leader confronted by a party of the
enemy surrounding their color-bearer.
" Let's capture their colors, boys ! " shouted
Coyne, and, with a ringing cheer, the little
baud made a dash . for the euemy. Coyne
singled out the color-bearer and rushed
upon him. The rebel was too strong to
be conquered by such an assault, and de-
fended his flag bravely until a bullet, shat-
tering his right hand, forced him to loosen
his hold and enabled Coyne to drag the
trophy from him. Tearing the flag from
the staff and tying it around bis body, he
turned to offer battle to any one who should
attempt to retake it ; but the survivors of
the enemy were hurriedly leaving the field before a rescuing party sent by General
Heintzelman. Of the brave band who bad supported their leader but few re-
mained standing, and Sergeant Cook, Corporal Beekman, and Privates Howard
and Lynch were killed outright.
Sergeant Coyne received the commission of second lieutenant to date from
the battle. He was mentioned for bravery in general orders by General Heint-
zelman, and was advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel for several other
acts of gallantry during the war.
THREE DEEDS OF VALOR
"at WiLUAMSBUKG I performed one of the deeds for which Congress awarded
/»■ me a Medal of Honor. I was out on the skirmish line with our company
at the time, and after holding our position for some time, the firing of the enemy
was so severe that we were compelled to retreat.
This we did slowly, paying back shot for shot.
"We had retreated to a place of comparative
safety, when 1 noticed that my comrade, R. B.
Wilson, was missing, having been wounded or
killed in the retreat. My captain called for some
one to volunteer to assist him in bringing Wilson
off the field. I volunteered, and we started for
the late scene of action.
"Not knowing exactly where he had fallen,
we spent some time in searching for him. At
last we found him and started with him for our
lines. While we bad been looking for him the
enemy had completely surrounded us and cut off
our escape. I tried to attract their attention so
that the captain could manage to escape, and in
so doing was shot in the left groin, received a
pretty severe scratch across both legs, and a buckshot wound in the belt.
"I fell, and was immediately taken prisoner, but the next day, when they
found I was unable to walk I was let out on parole. I managed to return to
my company, then at Harrison's Landing."
JOHN B. HAIOBT.
BcrgeaDt. Co. G, 73d Hew York Intaotry.
Boin at Westfleld, N. Y.. July 1, 1841.
"Ok August 27, 1862, at the battle of Bristow Station, I was suffering greatly
from a severe carbuncle on my neck. On this account I was ordered to the
rear before the battle commenced. From my dreary position I could hear the
distant rattle of musketry, and longed to be with my comrades. Soon I began
to formulate schemes whereby I conld rejoin my regiment. I gave this np and
decided simply to forget my orders and join my company. Here I fought until
the battle was over, when I fainted and had to be carried from the field."
Seegbaht John H. Haight, who relates the above two stories, also partici-
pated in the second battle of Bull Run, or Manassas, on the 29th of August,
1863. The company, to which he belonged, was flanked and compelled to
fall back upon the main body of the brigade. When the retreat had been com-
pleted the captain called for volunteers to rescue any wounded that would
otherwise fall into the bauds of the Confederates. Sergeant Haight and two
others immediately volunteered for the service. They advanced towards the
enemy's lines under a heavy fire, and succeeded in bringing out Private Plumb
and several others whose names are not known.
A BOLD STROKE
MAT 5, 1862, Captain George W. Mindil, of Company C, Sixty-first Penn-
sylvania Infantry, distinguished himself for conspicuous gallantry while aide
on General Kearney's staff. His heroism was also rewarded with a colonelcy, he
being at the time only nineteen years old.
At Williamsburg Captain Mindil's position as aide gave him considerable free-
dom of action, and realizing that a bold stroke was necessary, be organized and
led a desperate chaise, with a battalion of the Fortieth New York.
In the face of a terrific fire from the enemy's infantry and artillery, which
was doing great destruction in the Federal ranks, this young oflacer led his men
into the very midst of the rebel force, pierced their center, silenced some of
their guns, and, getting in their rear, forced them to abandon their position.
FIRED THE BRIDGE
mUJAM TATLOB.
WILLIAM Tatlor's military career is distinguished by two most daring deeds^
The first of these was the burning of a bridge at Front Aoyal, Va., May 23,
1S62, where a detachment of Stonewall Jackson's force fell upon and routed a
body of (Jeneral Banks', with a loss of 904
men. Taylor, in company with another man,
volanteered to rush forward, in the face of a
deadly fire from the enemy, and destroy this
bridge to prevent the rebels from crossing.
The rush was made in safety, although shot
flew all around them, until they neated the
place where they were to fire the bridge. Here
Taylor's companion was killed, and he himself
severely wounded in the right hand. Neverthe-
less he succeeded in firing the bridge and so
prevented an attack by the Confederates.
His second notable adventure took place at
the Weldon Baiboad, Va., August 19. 1864, after
he bad been promoted a lieutenant. About this
Captain Taylor says:
"On the evening of August 19, during a heavy rain, the rebels charged
with a yell. Our brigade was on the extreme left, with the brigade of regulars
on our right, who broke and ran. A little later the rebels retreated, and we
held the ground until the regulars were brought back.
"That night a regiment of our brigade was sent out on picket line, which
they left and came into camp, through some misunderstanding. It was reported
to General Warren, who sent an order to Acting Brigadier-Genetal Doshain to
send an officer and a few men to find connections of the rebel picket line. I
volunteered and took two men with me.
" It was a dark, rainy night. On the way we ran foul of two men whom we mis-
took for rebels, and made prisoners. They turned out to be officers of our division.
"We found the picket line and came back, and finding Colonel Wilson abont
to start with the regiment. I took the right and made connections with the
picket line. I was then detailed, with Captain McClellan of General Ayres' staff,
with sixteen men and a sergeant, to recounoiter the enemy's position. Leaving
the men in.side our lines. Captain McClellau, the sergeant and I got through
the enemy's lines, and close to a house, where Heath, the rebel general, had his
heailquarters. The captain and I started to return to our men. leaving the ser-
geant behind, but were captured on the way, the sergeant being taken shortly after.
DESTROYING THE 9RIDGE AT FRONT ROYAL, VA.
r
— 82 —
"We were sent to Petersburg the next day, and from there to Richmond, and
remained in Libby Prison aboat two months, until Fort Harrison, some four
miles below, was taken. Later on I managed to escape in company with two
other officers. The hardships that we had to undergo to reach our freedom
would be interesting enough, but they do not belong to the incidents for which
I received my Medal of Honor."
WITH AN EMPTY GUN
PRIVATE Delano J. Morey, Co. B, 82d Ohio Infantry, a native of Lie King Co.,
Ohio, gives the following interesting account of his capture of two rebel
sharpshooters :
"When our regiment left Moorefield, Va., tvhere we had been encamped
all winter, and was ordered to re-enforce General Milroy, a detail of fifty
men, of which I was a member, was sent out to look for bushwhackers, who
infested the woods. After traveling over fifty miles of the roughest roads, we re-
joined our regiment at McDowell on the 8th of May, 1862, hungry as wolves, but
supplied with a few choice specimens of poultry, which we had incidentally taken
prisoners of war. These some of us were eating with all the ardor of hungry
men, when the report of the pickets' guns aroused us, and as this was to be our
first battle our chickens were left behind in our anxiety to have a brush with
the enemy. But oh! had we known the strength and numbers of the enemy, we
should have been reluctant to attack them; but, eager for a fight, we advanced
on Bull Pasture Mountain. We engaged them at this point, and in the midst
of the roar of battle came the erroneous order to fix bayonets and charge
them. About 150 of us, on the extreme right of the line, from which the order
emanated, fixed 6ur bayonets and charged the enemy down in the valley. Down
the mountain side we went, to within about a hundred yards from them, when
they opened fire on us which was too high, and not a man was touched. We
in turn emptied a volley into them, when we found to our surprise that our
150 men were charging about 4,000 of the enemy. No sooner were we aware
of this fact than a hasty retreat was made up the mountain side, but I, noting
two of the enemy some little distance from me, left the retreating men and
made for the two sharpshooters with the intention of capturing them. When
they saw me coming on the full run they hastened to load their guns, but I
was a little too quick for them. I leveled my empty gun at them and ordered
them to surrender, which they promptly did, and I led the captives to my cap-
tain. I was sixteen years old, and each of my prisoners was old enough to be
my father."
A YOUNGSTER'S HEROISM
"r LEFT home without money or a warning to
1 my parents," writes William Horsfall "and in
company with three other boys, stealthily boarded
the steamer 'Annie Laurie,' moored at the Cin-
cinnati wharf at Newport and billed for the
Kanawha River that evening, about the 20th of
December, 1861. When the bell rang for the de-
parture of the boat, my boy companions, having
a change of heart, ran ashore before the plank
was hauled aboard, and wanted me to do the
same. I kept in hiding until the boat was
well under way and then made bold
enough to venture on deck. I was accosted
by the captain of the boat as to my destination, etc., and telling him the old
orphan-hoy story, I was treated very kindly, given something to eat, and allowed
very liberal privileges.
" I arrived at Cincinnati without further incident, and enlisted as a drummer-
boy.
"In the fighting before Corinth, Miss., May 21, 1862 — Nelson's Brigade engaged
— my position was to the right of the First Kentucky, as an independent sharp-
shooter. The regiment had just made a desperate charge across the ravine. Cap-
tain Williamson was wounded in the charge, and, in subsequent reversing of
positions, was left between the lines. Lieutenant Hocke, approaching me, said :
'Horsfall, Captain Williamson is in a serious predicament; rescue him if possible.'
So I placed my gun against a tree, and, in a stooping run, gained his side and
dragged him to the stretcher bearers, who took him to the rear."
Drummer Horsfall was on all the subsequent marches of his regiment. During
the famous chaise at Stone River he presently found himself hemmed in by rebel
horsemen and hostile infantry. Even the rebels took pity on his youth and one of
them shouted: "Don't shoot the damned little Yank! I want him for a cage."
The plucky little drummer made a run for his life and safely got back to his
regiment. ,
During the Siege or Corinth a Union force 30,000 strong, under Genersl Pope, occupied Hamburg
Landing five milea above Pittsburg, where General Haileck vas in full comnmnd. The movement against
Corinth was made on the 30th of April. There was little or no active engngement. Beauregard eVBCuat«d
the town on the 26th of Ma; and the Union Arm; took poBsession on the HOth.
BUFUB 8AXT0H,
Br'.il«']:-r-i.>i.en:.['.^.
HisbF4t rv'>ks;uli)>--1:Iivi. Msj
AGAINST A SUPERIOR FORCE
Bkigadier-General lU'FL's Saxtos reports, re-
garding the action of bis brigade between
May 26 and 30. 1S62. at Harper's Ferrj-, Va.:
''I assumed conimaud of the forces at Harper's
Ferry, May 26, 1S62, occupying Bolivar Heights
with my troops, and Maryland Heights with the
naval battery. On the same evening I sent two
companies of the First Maryland regiment, nnder
Major Steiner. to make reconnoissance of London
Heights, where, it was reported, the enemy were
in position.
'"They were fired upon while ascending, between
nine and ten o'clock in the morning, by dismounted
rebel cavalry concealed in the bushes on both
sides of the road. The fire was returned, but with what effect is not known.
■'On Wednesday I shelled the Heights, compelling the enemy to retire, as
was proved by subsequent reconnoissance. Our cavalry drove the enemy out of
Charleston, but they were almost immediately re-enforced, and. opening fire from
a battery of nine guns, compelled our force to retire. A body of the enemy's
cavalry was seen occasionally emerging from a point of the woods about two
miles distant. Our guns shelled the woods in front, but the enemy made no re-
sponse, and seemed from their movements, desirous of drawing us from our po-
sition.
•'On the morning of the 29th the Fiftieth New York Cavalry was sent out to
reconuoiter, and was fired uimn by the enemy's infantry and artillery. A body
was seen stationed in the woods in a position to cover the battery. Having ac-
complished their object, our cavalry retumed.
"About midnight General Cooper's Brigade was set in motion, and. by daylight,
had succeeded in crossing the river and occnpying the banks on the Maryland
side. General Clough's Brigade at the same time fell back to a new position on
Camp Hill, and when morning dawned, our batteries, supported by a heavy force of
infantry, were in a position to commanci iill the approaches on our front and flanks.
'"Ou Friday morning Major Gan-lner. with the Fiffy-tifth Xew York Cavalry.
was sent to the front to feel the enemy's position aud watch his movements.
He was later in the day re-enforced l)y a piece nf uriillory and two hundred
sharpshooters. The enemy oi>ened fire on him with ^^■at^^■'nnl: volleys of mus-
ketry along his whole front. The first discharge i>f grape from one piece caused
the enemy's skirmishers to fall back in disorder.
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AT HARPER'S FERRY
" About dark Friday evening, in a heavy storm, General Cloagh opened upon the
enemy, who was advancing apon Camp Hill with three batteries. The scene at
this time was very impressive. The night was intensely dark, the hills aronnd
were alive with the signal lights of the enemy; the rain descended in torrents,
vivid flashes of lightning illumined at intervals the magnificent scenery, while
the crash of thunder, echoing among the mountains, drowned into comparative
insignificance the roar of artillery. After an action of an hoar's duration the
enemy retired. He made another unsuccessful attack at midnight with regiments
of Mississippi and Louisiana Infantry, and, after a short engagement disappeared.
Signal lights continued to be seen in every direction. On Saturday morning I
sent out a reconnoissance and found that the whole rebel force, estimated at
20,000 or 25,000 strong, had retired, and that we had successfully held our po*
sition and repulsed his several attacks with less than 7,000 effective men."
HE WAVED HIS SHATTERED ARM
THE fiercest fighting at the battle of Fair
Oaks occurred on June 1 — a Sunday.
It was a fight which taxed the bravery
of every Union officer and soldier. Many
a deed of bravery and daring can be re-
corded from that memorable struggle, but
none more noteworthy, than that which
will ever connect the name of General
0. 0. Howard with the history of that
battle. His conduct distinguished it-
self above that of all others and will
always furnish an illustrious example of
American bravery.
The battle began at seven o'clock in
the morning. The rebels with undaunted
courage withstood the deadly chaise of the Federal troops. General Howard, who
commanded a brigade, led four of his regiments on the right wing of the Union
Army, one regiment in the first line, the remaining three in the second line. As-
sisted by eighteen pieces of Meagher's Artillery, be advanced and was met by the
superior numbers of the enemy. The clash was fearful. For an hour and a half a
tremendous struggle for supremacy ensued. The general was omnipresent. He
was in the thickest of the battle. Wherever the danger was greatest, there he
was, inspiring and animating his men.
OUVBB 0. HOWAED,
iei«l,U.S. A. Hlshfwt nah attained: Ifajof
U.S.A. Born at Leeds, Ue., Hot. B,un.
Twice his horse was shot from under him. Finally a hullet atmek and shattered
his right arm. Waving the fractured limb high above him, be aroused his soldiers
to still greater ardor and enthusiasm. Such heroic fighting the enemy could not
withstand. They fled. General Howard was carried to the rear by his admiring
soldiers. The brave leader's arm was amputated; but he again went to the front,
as soon as he had recovered from the operation and continued on his career of un-
dying fame.
THOUGH WOUNDED, REMAINED AT HIS POST
" r WAS eugaged with the pioneers of the bri-
1 gade on the Slst of May, 1862, in con-
structing a bridge across the Chickahominy
River. An attack of the Confederates on our
extreme left, on the Virginia side of the
Chickahominy, caused the Second Corps to be
thrown across the river immediately after
twelve o'clock noon, and the battle of Fair
Oaks began soon after.
"As my services were not necessary at
the bridge, 1 took half of my command of
forty-five men, and proceeded to the head of
the brigade, reaching it just as it was about
to engage the enemy. I was directed by
General Dana to proceed across an open field
in front of an advancing rebel regiment, which
1 did, arriving at the, point designated with
only four out of a party of twenty-two men,
eighteen having been killed or wounded within
a couple of minutes.
"The adjutant of the regiment to which
Infantry, was, about
WH. R. SHAFTBK,
nanl, Co. I, 7th Michigan Iiifnnlrj.
it Bllained; M«jor-Gf neral, 13. S. A.
,t Galesburg, Mich., Oct. 16, 18S5.
belonged, the Seventh Michigan
this time, dangerously wounded and incapacitated for
Fair Oaks.— On the 30th of May, 1862, the right wing of the Union Army rested nenr New Bridge, on
the west bank of the Chickahominy, the center at Beven Pines, and the left on the White Oak Swamp. Gen-
eral Sumner's Corps remained on the east side of the river. The force was under command of General
UcClellan.
The efforts of General Johnston, the Confederate commander, were directed chiefly against the left
wing, where Heintzelman's and Keyes' Divisions were placed. The Union position waa supported at this
point by General Kearney, Berry's Brigade, and an Irish Battalion, and was held in spite of repeated assaults
in force. The arrival of General Sumner's Corps decided the day in favor of the Federals.
Fighting was resumed on the following day on the left bank of the river, and ceased about midday
with the retreat of the enemy.
The Union loss was 6,739 ; the Confederate, 7,997.
It was in this battle that Gener*^ Johnston, the Confederate commander, was disabled, and relieved
by General Lee.
further service, whereupon I was directed by Major Bichardson, who com-
manded the regiment that afternoon, to assume the duties of regimental ad-
jutant, which 1 did.
"Just at the close of the battle, abont half an hour later, my horae was
shot from under me and I was wounded, a severe flesh wound, but as no bones
were hit, my injuries were not considered dangerous. 1 was perfectly able to
remain in the field, and did so during the fight of the neit day. In order to
escape being sent north with the wounded, 1 went to the rear of the command
and remained there for two or three days until the wounded had all been sent
IN FRONT OF AN ADVANCING REBEL REGIMENT
away, and I then returned to my regiment. 1 was unable to ride a horse, and
was confined to my couch and there performed the duties of adjutant, so far
as the office part of the work was concerned.
"At the change of base I had the choice of heing left in the hands of the
enemy or mounting my horse and going with our troops, and although riding
horseback in my then wounded condition was very painful. I adopted the latter
alternative, and was with the regiment in all of the seven days' battles sub-
sequent."
General Shafter, who gives this account of his services at Fair Oaks,
voluntarily went with half of his little baud into the battle, when hia pioneer
work gave him a satisfactory reason for remaining at the grapevine bridge, in-
stead of engaging in the gallant chaise of his regiment, and remained in
action for twenty-four hours after receiving a bullet wound. His intelligent
energy and activity during the battle, and his example of soldierly heroism, had
an effect on the men, to which a great share of their success may be credited.
HEROIC RESCUE OF TWO FLAGS
W. B. PUSCBLL,
ScfBeBiit.Co. U, IMlh i'crn. mfsntry.
Born at Upper BlHck Eddy. Buck Co., Pa.,
Aug. 1, 1837.
THE One hundred and fourth Pennsylvania
Infantry had been under fire for an hour
and a half at the battle of Fair Oaks, and a
lai^e number of the men had fallen. The fight-
ing line had been maintained unusually well,
and the men fought more like veterans of a
hundred battles than recruits under fire tor
almost the first time. The euemy was pressing
them in front and flank, and his fire had be-
come so warm as to endanger the battery they
were supporting. He approached within a short
distance of the right. At this crisis, a charge
was ordered in the hope of checking his advance.
The One hundred and fourth had no expectation
of crossing bayonets with the rebels, but hoped
to gain time. The men were ordered to cease firing and fix bayonets, which
was done with great promptness, considering their excited condition. The com-
mand was given: " Charge bayonets, forward, double-quick, march! "and the men
sprang toward the enemy with a tremendous yell.
They advanced about a hundred yards over a piece of ground covered with
dwarf bushes. In the way was an old worn fence that had not been observed be-
fore, which cut t4ie old line of battle at an angle of about thirty degrees. The men
sprang over this obstacle into the clearing where the enemy stood, and immedi-
ately began to reform and open fire. Both flags were carried over the fence by
the bearers. This movement had the desired effect It was foolhardy under the
circumstances, but it staggered the enemy, and the heavy fire checked him at
once. It soon became apparent that the regiment must relinquish the ground
unless re-enforced, and Lieutenant Ashenfelder was dispatched across to the
Williamsburg road to request General Casey to send support. The general sent
word to hold out a few minutes longer, when re-enforcements would be sent.
It must be understood that, at this time, the One hundred and fourth Penn-
sylvania was engaged single-handed, in front of the line of the army, with a
greatly superior force. Three hours had now elapsed since the regiment bad
gone into action, and more than one-third of the men had fallen. The- promised
re-enforcements did not arrive, and they could hold out no longer. There was
no order given to retire, but they were literally pushed back by the superior
force of the enemy pressing against them. Individual soldiers on either side
came almost near enough to strike each other with the musket. The regiment
retired slowly and sullenly, not an officer or man running.
In the excitement and confusion of retiring, one flag was left on the other
nde of the fence, the staff sticking in the ground, and the enemy made a bold
THE FLAQ WAS LEFT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE
effort to capture it. Color-Sergeant Purcell had already secured his own standard,
and, with it in his hands, he jumped over the fence and seized -the other. The
enemy saw the movenient, and five of their men rushed forward at the same
time, still keeping up their fire. Purcell reached it first, seized the staff, and
sprang for the fence with both fiags in his hands. As he mounted the fence he
was struck by a bulletin the left thigh and fell, carrying the colors with him.
Getting to his feet again he ran about 500 yards, handed one flag to Sergeant
Myers, and started for the rear with the other, but, becoming faint from the
loss of blood, be gave it to Corporal Jlitchner and fell exhausted on the field,
having received two slight wounds in the arm and neck. He was rescued by
General Casey's bugler, Israel Stidinger, who took him on his horse to Savage
Station.
The flag? were brought off the field in safety, and delivered to the regiment
after the battle.
AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE
JOHH C. HUNTERBOM.
Prlvilo, Co. ll,S.l I'a. Csvalrr.
A BOOT June 5, 1862, a few days after the battle
of Fair Oaks, John C. Hunterson, then a
private in Co. B, Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, on
duty as one of the escort of two to an engineer
officer, accompanied him on an reconnoissance
between the lines of the two armies for the
purpose of ascertaining the best available posi-
tion for earthworks. This party was discovered
and fired upon by the enemy.
The horse of the engineer oflBcer was killed,
and the second person in escort hurriedly returned
to our lines. This placed the officer in a most
exasperating position. Here he had, at great per-
sonal peril, approached the enemy's lines, surveyed the topography of the battle-
field, made valuable sketches and drawings, and now, at the very last moment,
found himself deprived of the means to carry the information obtained to his
superior officers! Hunterson keenly appreciated the situa-
tion. He realized that the engineer's life was of the
greatest value to his army and his noble impulse
quickly made him reach a conclusion. He
vohmtarily gave up his mount to the
officer, enabling him to escape with the
important plans and drawings which
were upon his person. ■
Hunterson effected his
escape, and at once reported
to General Dickinson, then
the assistant adjutant-gen-
eral of Hooker's Division,
who investigated and veri-
fied the incident. The act
is worthy of special note as
an exhibition of exceptional
daring and devotion to duty.
In giving up his horse in a
desperate emergency, Hun-
terson reduced his own
chance of escape to a min-
imum, entirely losing sight of his own welfare in his zeal for the safety of his
eaperior officer and the interests of bis cotmtry.
MUD BATHS FOR FUTURE GOOD HEALTH
O"
Ji'HB 15, 1862, the enemy, having secured the
range of our camps from Fort Lamar, opened on
them with shell, making it quit« lively for us. General
Benham, then in command of the Union troops, resolved
to make an assault on the fort on the morning of the
16th, at daybreak. The attack was made by General
Stevens' Division, which was repulsed with a loss of
about 600 men. Our brigade commander. Colonel Robert
Williams of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, was ordered
to advance two of his regiments, the Ninety-seventh
Pennsylvania and the Third New Hampshire, to sup-
port the assault.
"It was low tide and we forced our way through
a thicket, or hedge, finding ourselves in a swamp, and
under fire from the fort. But we drove the enemy's
advance back to the fort, and located ourselves along the embankment about
'200 yards from the enemy's works. We were able, at that distance, to effec-
tually keep them from using tbeir guns on two sides of the works.
"About 10 o'clock A. XI.. re-enforcements for the enemy commenced to ar-
rive by way of the Charleston aud Savannah Itailroad. Their artillery went in-
to position on the ridge and rendered our position untenable by enlitading our
line. The order was given to retire, aud we commenced falling back towards
the swamp we had crossed at daylight. As soon as we left the embankment
the 0eld artillery and fort oitened on us with canister at about 250 yards'
range. When we reached the swamp the tide was well up and the place was
a slimy, oozy mass of mud. which the "Johnnies" were stirring up with
canister and round shot for all they were worth, and making it unfit to swim,
in or to drink. After a severe stru^le I landed on the far side from the
enemy, as a matter of choice and necessity^ assisting a number of comrades.
III Jum>. ISfl:;. <n>noral Bor.ham ai!emr.i«3 :•■
*i\'. ovor to .lairn** UUr.i ".: i!i.' Pih. -U-a^:;;
■!iJ ai SprrssiitnTllle i'.lt--^ :hi? wi'ok ^ ■'.'..■"It.
omlr Iviyij: I'onij-e'.lijd ;o iai; back losinc ^Xi =:ifL
T. by thf St.-!;.-. R:vt-r. The UnMO tor»
\'-zi a f<irt vi.Wh i:-.i' ConfederaWS had
k "Ti .IiiTit' 1^ w.-)^ a d:^::ial fkilaiv. Ibe
whose heads were covered with mud, when their feet reached the hottom. I
suppose they were dodging the canister. We were very good at that.
" I landed, tired, disgusted, and dreadfully covered with mud, and was trjang
to find out where I was located in the mass of filth, when I heard a faint call
that sounded thick and muddy. Looking back over the ground and water, I
saw a head pop up above the sticky mass about one-third of the way back,
and I felt satisfied that some poor fellow was having trouble and was in need
of prompt assistance. The prospect was not inviting, with the shot flying
RETURNING TO RESCUE A COMRADE
about, but there was no time to think, so I drew off my accoutrements, plunged
in and got him to the shore, both of us thoroughly exhausted, and found him
to be one of my own men."
Colonel Lewis, who writes this account of his adventure at Fort Lamar,
was present at the Mine Explosion at Petersburg, Va. When the attack was
made upon the rebels, after the explosion, he was directly behind the major of
the Forty-eighth New York, whose head was blown off, the bloody fragments
striking him in the face. Soon after, his bravery and kindheartedness were
again called forth by the misfortune of one of the men of his company who
was wounded on the retreat. In the face of an awful storm of bullets, Colonel
Lewis returned to the wounded man and carried him off the field to a place
of safety.
FOUR CHARGES WITH A SHATTERED ARM
WHBN the Seventh Connecticut Infantry was storming Fort Lamar, James
Island, S. C, at daybreak June 16, 1862, Sei^eant Jackson wag in com-
v.innd of Company F. He was struck above the elbow with a canister shot
from an eight-inch
columbiad, and his left
arm was shattered.
With his right hand
Jackson seized hissplin*
tered arm, pressed it
tightly to prevent, as
much iis possible, the
flow of blood, and
dashed forward with
his men. The regiment
retired, rallied again,
and went forward on
the second charge, only
to be again repulsed.
Once more the regi-
ment rallied, and in
this charge, Sei^eant
Jackson fell, fainting
from the loss of blood.
He lay on the field
from five o'clock in the
morning until half-past
ten at night, only a
hundred feet from the
fort, neither Federals
nor Confederates dar-
ing to succor their
wounded, so fierce was
the firing. During more than seventeen hours be remained unable to move, all
the while exposed to the fire from the Union forces, but too near the fort to be
in range of the enemy's missiles.
Eeferring to this part of his experience, he writes :
"Of the fourteen comrades who came under the Confederate surgeon's
knife as prisonen*, only myself and one other lived to reach home. I was put
under the influence of chloroform, and, when I became conscious again, discov-
ered two stugeon's knives and another instrument lying across my breast.
Among those in the room were General Gist, commanding the Confederates,
and the colonel in charge of the fort. On regaining consciousness some one
asked me:
"'How many troops have your forces got?'
"'Go over and count them,' I replied.
'"We will go over and we shall get them all,' said he.
"The surgeon was Doctor Bellinger, the son of one of the most famous sur-
geons in the South at that time. He said to me:
"'The Southern Confederacy is not abundantly supplied with chloroform,
and will not throw any away on you.'
"Before beginning to amputate my arm, they divided some of my clothing
among themselves. The first thing taken was a pair of new boots which had
been sent from home by my father. My uniform was also disposed of, and they
gave me a shabby suit of clothes in case I should ever need any more. Then
the surgeon proceeded to cut off my arm, and, true to his word, he did not
waste any of the Southern Confederacy's chloroform on me.
"I was made acquainted with six of the Southern prisons, and was grad-
uated from Libby October 14, 1862."
TWO GALLANT OFFICERS
THE following story, describing an important
movement in the action at Gaines Mills, Va.,
June 27, 1862, is written by a captain of the
Eighty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, who testifies
warmly to the gallant conduct and able leader-
ship of General Daniel Butterfield and Major
Ernst Von Vegesack, and the inspiriting influence
upon the men of their fine example.
"The Twelfth and Forty-fourth New York
Volunteers, who were deployed in the rear and
on the heights in the woods above us, opening
fire upon the enemy, the fire was returned, and the right wing of the Eighty-
third, being more on a level and in view of the enemy, commenced also a
heavy fire. The enemy still approached in column of brigade, covered by a
regiment in line of battle, but discovering, when too late, the position our
regiment held, precipitately fled back with a heavy loss in killed and wounded.
DANIEL BUTTEaPIELS,
Brtgndler-Ocneral. U. S
Highest rank atulned : UoJ-Gen.. V. 9
Bom In Oneldft Co., N. Y.. Oct. SI, IKI
— 48 —
" At this moment Brigadier-General Butterfield, amidst a gallant fire from his
line of support in the rear, and that of the enemy in front, came coolly down
the knoll, and, sword in hand, seized the colors, waving them repeatedly aloft,
encouraging the valor of our regiment and stimulating with new vigor our
thinned ranks. *My boys,' he shouted, *Your ammunition is never expended
while you have your bayonets, and use them to the socket!*
"The battle at this juncture raged furiously. The trees were lopped and the
leaves fell as thick as snowflakes, while the balls flew like a hailstorm, the
solid shot, grape, canister, and shrapnel scattering destruction in all directions.
It was intimated that the regiments on our right had been repulsed, and had
given way under the destructive fire of the enemy, who also threatened our
right flank and were at that moment gradually gaining the rear. In this situa-
tion one regiment was ordered to face by the rear rank and wheel obliquely by
a quarter on the proper right, and then become the left. This manoeuvre was
rapidly executed, but during its performance, our commander. Colonel McLane,
was killed, and Major Nagel mortally wounded.
"The enemy, being fairly driven from the woods, as a last resort made their
final stand on their own chosen ground. Major Von Vegesack, who was serving
voluntarily as aide, came galloping along our lines, and, in a voice never to be
forgotten, ordered the Eighty-third to face by the right flank, advance, half to
the left, thereby still keeping the rear rank in front, deep on the center, and
again face the foe. This cool and determined move on the part of Major Von
Vegesack, which cannot be too warmly appreciated by the Eighty-third, so as-
tounded the enemy, who were drawn up in line at about a hundred yards' dis-
tance, that they remained perfectly motionless for several minutes. They waved
signals, which we did not understand, and finally sent forward a flag of truce,
the Eighty-third sending out an officer to receive their communications, which
were to the effect that they considered themselves so powerful that we had
better surrender.
"This proposition, I need hardly say, caused some indignant mirth among us,
and before the oflBcers of the Eighty-third, who bore our flag of truce, returned
to the ranks, the rebels, contrary to the rules of civilized warfare, poured a
deadly volley into the ranks of our regiment. We fell flat on the ground, then
rising to our knees, returned the fire, which was kept up in the bravest and
most determined manner against overwhelming numbers, keeping the enemy at
bay until dark, when the total expenditure of our cartridges caused us to retreat
across the Chickahominy Kiver."
The "SevoD Days'" Battle before Richmond commenced with the battle of Oak Grove, on the 25th
of June, when General Lee's attack on the right wing was made without decisive results. In an engagement
at Mechanicsville tm the 26th, General Hill, of the Confederate Army, was repulsed, with considerable
loss, by the Sixth Corps under Porter.
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT IN ACTION
CHARLES F. Hop-
KiNH touches
luicfly upon hia
rescue of a wound-
ed comrade in hia
(Inscription on the
;(ftioii at Gaines
■Mill.s, Va.. l.ut he
\\;is reported and
lii^'lily praised for
this act.
"Our regiment, tlie First New Jersey Volun-
teers, was ordered from the south side of the
Chickahominy River to support Fitz John Porter,
who was attacked at that
place, by 'Stonewall'
Jackson and Longstreet,
determined to crush our
right wing. We reached
the field about 1 P. M.,
and were sent in to re-
lieve the Fourteenth Reg-
ulars. The First Michi-
gan's right was turned,
and they were swept from
the field for a short time. o=*"- ^- hop«».
This left an opening by b-,™ .t w/,(*, n™ j-rwy,
which the Fourth New '^ "" "*'^'
York Volunteers were taken prisoners, only about ninety escaping, our regiment
being compelled to retire its right. A similar movement was taking place on
the left, leaving oar company in the apes of the angle, thus made.
On thft 27th of Jnn» the Fifth CorpK, with about 25/100 men, wa* attarkp<l by a rfbcl forw of 70/jOO, on
OcIbm Minn Helf btii, and madt a firm stand until thp cavalry wan r>rput>inil, fnllinf; I>a<rk in (liMirdftr nn
thelioe*. The enemy, pursuing their advantage, had alm'wt accompJiHhed the deHtnitrtion of the eurpt
when darkneM enabled the Pederalii to <rroea the river.
On the aith the genera] retreat began, during whieh mvriirred the engagementn of H*rvff. HUtl«R,
eieaiftlc (Charles City Cr'<iMKoadii}.FeMb Orchard, ChickaboBtBy,Wbit« Oak »tiraBp, ami Sal r^ra Hill.
At the laat-nanwid place, on Jul; 1, the Second, Third, and Sixth Corpa occupied a Ktrnngpinition.pnr-
tected by gnnbnata on th« river. The enemy's attack was defeated and the rebel force rendered incapable
of further poranit- The CTnion Iota doring the Seven Dayi' Battle is estimated at 16,249 ; the Confederate
rti7,sea.
"The order to retire, keeping up the fire, was given by our captain. Not
bearing the order, or unconscious of the dangerous position, the company did
not rotire promptly, and the enemy poured a terrific fire on us from every
point but our immediate rear, and even that was not exempt until we reached
a point parallel with the line of battle.
"A comrade and myself were laggards in retiring, but were keeping up the
fire. Having been twice wounded, I was looking for shelter to cover by back-
ward movomont, and, while moving from one place to another among the
bushes, ciuno across Sergeant Richard Donnelly of our company, who was
badly wounded in the right leg. I told him I would take him out, and we
could both chance the awful fire from all quarters. I got him on my back,
and through that gauntlet of flame and bullets, made my way to the rear in
safety.
"I was badly wounded in the hand twenty minutes after leaving him, and
was left for dead on the field, but recovered, and was taken prisoner the next
morning, being reloaaed five hours later with a large number of wounded who
were able to ^valk."
THE DRUMMER-BOY OF THE
CHICKAHOMINY
GEORGB Dallas Sidmas. ''The Drummer-Boy
of the Ohickahominy," as he was called,
was but little over sixteen years of age when
he enlisted in 1862. At the battle of Oaines
Mills, Va., the second of the Seven Days' Battle
before Richmond, and during his subsequent
experience with the army, his great pluck and
nerve, his presence of mind and fortitude, es-
tablished for him a record which is barely sug-
gested by the ofiicial description, " distinguished
bravery in battle."
From early morning of that memorable day,
the enemy had been concentrating in boot ol
I'orter's Corps, believing that the whole of
McCIollun'^ force was l>efon' them. Several time^^ they had charged the Union
lines in force, t'ut had Iveu repulsed each time with great loss.
Genenil lluttertietd's Brigade, composed of the Twelfth, Seventeenth, and
Forty-fourth New Yttrk Infantry, Eighty-third i'ennsylvania Infantry, and Six-
teenth Michigan lufautry, occupied the extreme left of the line, resting on the
QXOKOE D. 8IDIUN.
, (V. V. mill >lti-Ui™ii liifentiy.
Chickahominy Swamp, nob far from Bottom's Bridge, which with a corduroy
road across the swamp, ofEered the only means of retreat to the left flank in
case of defeat.
The sun was low on the horizon when the enemy advanced, four columns deep,
to charge the Union center by an enfilading movement. They broke through the
weakened lines and forced the left flank back into the swamp, where, for a
time, it looked as if the entire corps had been caught like rats in a trap. The
SErZED ONE OF THE GUIDONS OF HIS REGIMENT
stampede was so complete that a part of the brigade, under Butterfield, was forced
hack almost into the swamp. At this juncture General Butterfield and a part of
his staff rode into the lines, calling upon his men to rally and save the day.
Young Geoi^e Sidman, caught by the enthusiasm of the moment, seized one
of the guidons of his regiment, and, rushing to the side of the general, called
upon his comrades to rally there. His action, with the calls of the officer,
had the effect of rallying a remnant of the brigade, and, in less time than it
takes to tell the story, this handful of men formed a "forlorn hope" that
charged back, and almost crossed bayonets with the enemy, then in full posses-
sion of the field. The rebels, not knowing the strength of the force charging
them, fell back a short distance, and night set in before they discovered that
" Stonewall " Jackson's army had been whipped by less than a thousand
— 52 —
Tankees. There is little doubt that this "forlorn hope" rally, incited, in a
measure, by the heroic example of George Sidman, was the means of saving
the Fifth Corps from almost total destruction.
Sidman was severely wounded by a minie ball through the left hip, in the
charge back upon the enemy, and lay upon the field until the firing ceased,
when he clubbed his musket over a stump, to destroy its usefulness to the
enemy, and threw his accoutrements into a ditch of water near by. He
crawled off the field and through Chickahominy Swamp on his hands and
knees, being unable to walk, or even stand, on 'his wounded leg. The next
morning he was picked up by an ambulance and taken to Savage Station,
where, two days later, he was taken prisoner with 3,000 other sick and
wounded, left by McClellan to the tender mercies of the enemy.
He celebrated the 4th of July by a ride to Richmond on a flat car, exposed
all day to the hot sun, without food or water, weak and helpless. He was con-
fined in Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, and finally at Belle Isle. While at the
last-named place gangrene formed in his wound, and, without medical attention
he would have died, as thousands of others did from the same cause, had he
not cured it himself by the most heroic treatment. He had with him a little
** house-wife," containing, among other things, a small package of capsicum,
which he deliberately poured into the open wound. The remedy was nearly as bad
as the disease, but Sidman declares that it removed the gangrene and saved his life.
He was exchanged in August and sent to the hospital at Point Lookout,
Md., but the place was so isolated and lonesome that he begged to be sent
north. This request being refused, he took passage one night in the stoke-hole
of a steamboat going up the Potomac River, and arrived the following morn-
ing in Washington, where he reported at the War Department and requested to
be sent to his regiment, then campaigning in Virginia. The spectacle of a sol-
dier on crutches, of very uninviting appearance, reporting at the headquarters
of the army and requesting to be sent to his regiment for duty, was such a
novelty that the oflBcers regarded him as a lunatic.
The hospitals being crowded at this time with the wounded from the second
battle of Bull Run, he was sent to Convalescent Camp, near Alexandria, Va.,
where he remained until he could move about with the aid of a stick, when,
hearing that his regiment was encamped not far away, he took " French Leave,"
and joined his company much to the amazement of his comrades. The surgeon
of the regiment would not certify him for duty, because his wound was not yet
healed, and as it was evident that he could not march, he was ordered to re-
turn to the hospital, which he refused to do. The following day the army
started on the Maryland Campaign, and his regiment marched away, leaving
him behind to shift for himself. Nothing daunted, he begged a ride across the
river to Georgetown, and succeeded in reaching his regiment that night, nearly
worn out. The next morning he found a condemned horse by the roadside, and,
with a bridle made of knapsack straps, and a pile of blankets to soften the pro-
truding bones of his fiery steed, he rode into camp that night. The colonel of
his Regiment, admiring his pluck, ordered that Sidman be permitted to remain
with the command and that he be allowed rations. He followed his regiment
to Antietam, mounted on his condeninod horse, and participated in the battle
that resulted in driving General Lee out of Maryland.
MOST BRAVE AND
INTREPID ON
THE FIELD
ON THE morning after the bat-
tle of Gaines Mills, Va.-, the
colonel and lieutenant-colonel of
my regiment, the Eighty-eighth
New York (Meagher's Irish Bri-
gade), of which I was major, re-
ported sick and went to the
rear, the command devolving
JAHBS QOIMLAS. q^ ^g
M»)or. S»h N. Y. Infantry. ' * i.u i, J
iiisheBt»ni[BtiBined:coion?t. ' Tho aftomoon ot that day
Bjrn at Tlpp«nry, Ireland, Sept. 13, less. , , , ,
we took up our marcn for our
new base, which, we were informed, would be Harrison's Landing, Va. Harassed
all the way by the enemy, fighting each day and marching at night, Sunday morn-
ing, June 29, we arrived at a place called Savage Station, Va,, and were ordered
to halt and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. Early that day the enemy
appeared in force at Tyler's and Nelson's farms. My regiment and the Twenty-
ninth Massachusetts, under Colonel Pierce, were ordered into action at both
places. The fighting was pretty severe, but the enemy were repulsed, and we
were ordered back to our original position.
"The army under General McClellan was crossing the White Oak Swamp on
its retreat. Our turn came to move, as the corps of General E. V. Sumner, to
which we were attached, had the rear of the whole army. As we neared White
Oak Swamp a Confederate Battery of six guns, supported by a large column of
infantry under Generals Magruder and Huger, opened a terrific fire, which caused
Sumner's Corps to halt. General W. W. Burns, U. S, A,, with his brigade, was
sent to silence the Battery, and being unsuccessful called for re-enforcements.
Several regiments were sent to his assistance, notably, the First Minnesota, under
the gallant Sully, but still the fire of the battery kept up. General Sumner sent
for the Eighty-eighth Regiment, and when I reported to him he said: 'Quinlan,
what formation have you!' I answered: 'Double on the center,' 'Good he said,
I know your regiment well, and they can deploy at the double-quick.' He or-
dered me to report to General Burns, who ordered me forward at double-quick
to charge the battery. As we started, the enemy's guns ceased firing, and when
we got within the range that suited them best, their six guns were discharged
simultaneously. But the Eighty-eighth did not falter. They pushed on and si-
lenced the battery."
Id addition to Uajor QuinlaQ's account of the chai^, the ofBcial statement
of cue of his superior officers is as follows:
"The cunduct of Major Qoinlan on that occasion was that of a self-sacrificing
soldier. He dashed into the very face of death, so far as he could know, thereby
relieving the troops massed in 3, cul de sac from the hattery's devastating fire,
and probably dlticoiitx^iag the enemy for the day, for the fighting was not re-
oewod after the silencing of their guns until past nightfall. Major Qoinlan de-
serves the badge of gallantry to he awarded to the most hrave and intrepid on
the field."
RESCUED AN ABANDONED
BATTERY
\J b
battle of White Oak Swamp, the Fifth
United States Artillery, of which I was a
member, was stationed on the road leading
to Richmond, Va. About four o'clock that
afternoon we received orders to move to a
new position and, while our regiment was
preparing to make this move, I saw that
Captain Mott's Battery, of the First New
York Artillery, had been abandoned and
was in danger of being captured by the
advancing enemy.
"I at once went to Captain Ayres of our battery and told him that if he
would let me have two men I would recover some, if not all, of the abandoned
battery. Permission was granted, and with my two companions I started back.
" We soon reached the battery, and, after much hard work, in constant danger
of losing our lives, we succeeded in recovering two guns, two limbers, and cais-
sons, which we delivered to Captain Ayres."
The service which George Uhry performed and here describes, deserves notice,
not only for the bravery of the act, but tor its importance in preventing a pos-
sible advantage to the enemy.
UNDER CONSTANT FIRE FOR SEVENTEEN HOURS
LIEUTENANT ElHO givOS thlS
account of the trying posi-
tion maintained by the battery
under his command at White
Oak Swamp:
"During the retreat of the
Army- of the Potomac, com-
manded by General George B,
McClelian, from in front of Rich-
mond to Harrison's Landing, Va.,
the batteries to which I belonged
— A and C, Fourth United States
Artillery, commanded by Cap-
tain George Hazard, a veteran
of the Mexican War, — was de-
tailed as part of the rear guard,
which was composed of Richard-
son's Division of Sumner's Corps,
covering the retreat from Savage
Station to White Oak Swamp.
After three days of constant
fighting we reached White Oak Swamp, and there had a narrow escape from capture.
"On the morning of June 30, about nine o'clock, arriving at the swamp, and dis-
covering that the bridge had been burned by the retreating army, we made the
crossing at the place where the bridge had been, to the intense astonishment of
our army, congregated on the other side watching the perilous experiment. The
Confederates were striving with all their skill to build a new bridge, and, on the
defeat of this attempt, depended the safety of our army. On the heights oppo-
site the Confederates were piled enormous quantities of our transportation, ac-
cumulated there in our hasty retreat from Richmond. Sumner's Corps still
occupied the post of honor on the rear guard, and Batteries A and C were ordered
into position on the brow of the hill with instructions to prevent the enemy
from crossing, and to hold the ground at any cost. About ten minutes after our
taking position. Captain Hazard was mortally wounded and carried from the
field, the command then devolving upon me, the senior lieutenant present for
duty.
"Our battery was made the object of attack by some thirty pieces of artillery
concentrated by the enemy in an endeavor to dislodge us from our position.
The fire from the guns was frightful, and there was not a portion of the battery
BUFUS SWO
iBt Lleatenant 4tb U S ArllUcr;
HlgtMBt rank attained Culonel
Bom Id Mew York Cltj, Usrch 21, 1S3».
tiiat did not get its share of it. Our fire was so accurate that it wm impossible
for the enemy's engineers and bridge builders to accomplish flieir work while
we were pouring car spherical case and solid shot into their midst, bnt the
strain on us was tremendous. Our battery, consisting of eight guns and about
one hundred and Beventy-five men, was depended upon to reply to a concentrated
attack by thirty guns that had our range accurately, and whose efforts to dis-
lodge us were most persistent. The fire from Jackson's Artillery was so heavy
that cannoneers and drivers were shot down and horses killed in such nnmbera
that some of the non-commissioned ofBcers took it upon themselves to withdraw
one of the guns. I went after them and succeeded in having the gun brought
back to its old position.
"The demands on our diminished numbers to serve the guns efficiently were
most exhaasting, and it required my constant presence in all parts of the bat-
tery, encouraging and cheering the men, assisting them to serve the pieces, and
praising them, to give tbem the confidence necessary to enable our battery to
accomplish the desired result.
*' We remained in position from 9 A. M. until 2 A. M. the next day, under
constant fire all the time, losing a great many men and horses from the fire of
the enemy, but succeeded In preventing them from building the bridge and
crossing the swamp before our army had reached a place of safety."
BETTER WORK WITHOUT
THE DRUM
O^
BBNJAIQH B. LETT,
Dnimmcr, l»t Sew York Voln.
Bom In Npw York tlty, Peb.92.IS45
THAT memorable retreat from Richmond,
June 30, 1862, the First New York Volunteers,
in which Benjamin Levy was the drummer, had
been on picket duty the night before, and it con-
sequently fell to their lot to cover the retreat.
In this position they were considerably harassed
by sharpshooters and guerrillas who lay in wait
for those who fell by the wayside. Levy, who was
little over sixteen years old, was marching with his tent-mate who was sick with
malaria, and in his feeble condition could make but slow progress. He was about
to lie down, when Levy broke his drum and cast it aside, took the accoutrements
and gun of his sick comrade, and encouraged him to keep up so as to avoid capture.
This regiment became engaged that afternoon in the battle of Charlra City
C3ross Roads, Va. (or Glendale). Levy, being a drummer, was not obliged to go into
action. He reported, however, to his superior officer and bravely volunteered to
shoulder a rifle and participate in the action on the firing line. His brave offer
being accepted he proceeded to the front with his regiment and thus became
actively engaged in the fighting.
There were four colors in this engagement belonging to the regiment. All but
tvro of the color-bearers and corporals were killed or wounded. Immediately he
threw away his gun, which he still carried in one hand, grasped the other flag and,
with a stand of colors
a hasty retreat, dur-
ceived a slight flesh
On emerging from
two colors, be met
ney, who was in com-
at that time. The
what regiment he be-
ing informed, direct-
where the remnant
stationed. For his
the two colors he was
moted by General
on each shoulder beat
ing which he re-
wound.
the woods with the
General Phil. Kear-
mand of his division
general inquired
longed to, and on he-
ed him to the point
of the regiment was
gallantry in rescuing
then and there pro-
Kearney to be color-
ROLLED OVER AND OVER
the battle of Malvern
had been marching,
covered with dust,
looked more gray
obeying an order to
they were fired upon
batteries stationed
The colonel, Garret
The day after, at
Hill, the regiment
and the men were so
that their uniforms
than blue. While
cross an open field,
by one of the Union
on a hill, the gunners mistaking them for Confederates.
Dyckman, seeing the danger of his regiment, ordered the men to lie down,
and directed Levy to unfurl his flag, advance down the center of the field,
and wave the colors until the firing should cease. Levy promptly obeyed
and, when the firing stopped, was about to return to the regiment, when a
volley from the enemy's pickets or sharpshooters, lined along the edge of the
woods, opened upon him. The staff of the colors was struck, and a ball pierced
the tin cup attached to his haversack. He lay down, tore his handkerchief
into strips, with which he tied his colors up, and then rolled over and over
back to the regiment, arriving safe amid the laughter and applause of his
comrades.
RETALIATION
IT WAS at Charles City Cross Roads that Corporal Shambaugh captured a Con-
federate flag. During the battle his eye was caught by the stars and bara
of a Georgia regiment waving defiantly amid the hail of shot and shell not
far away. He remarked to .Sergeant Howard, who stood near him, that, as the
Confederates had taken some of their battle flags at Gaines Mills, and had captured
at the same time, nine companies of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Reserves, it would
be a good idea to retaliate.
The two men took up a position considerably in advance of the Federal Hne
of battle, and, when the rebels charged, Shambaugh dashed forward, in the face
of almost certain death, and grappled with the color-bearer for his flag. A very
short tussle ensued, aud Shambaugh succeeded in wresting the color from the
bearer. Upon gaining the colors he turned and ran, and managed, in the Federal
countercharge, to get back to the ranks unhurt. Howard was separated from
Shambaugh at the beginning of the charge, and had do hand in the capture.
SEVEN WOUNDS IN SEVEN DAYS
CAPTAIN Kafferty's story as be tells it, shows, be-
sides an extraordinary degree of nerve and pluck,
that love of fighting which seems to have been
characteristic of the members of the Irish Brigade. He
writes:
" I was seventeen years old when I enlisted as a private
in the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteers. This was not
the Sixty-ninth Militia, which, in the volunteers, had
another number. Both regiments, however, were enlisted
in New York City, and ninety-five per cent of onr regi-
ment were Irishmen. We wero in the Irish Brigade,
and were called into action at Malvern Hill, Va., late in the afternoon o£
the first day of July, 1S62, the last day of the fight before Richmond. The Sixty-
ninth, Colonel Robert Nugent, and the Eighty-eighth New York attempted to check
the advance of a powerful column of rebels. We were in the lead, and as soon
as we had exhausted our sixty rounds of cartridges, the Eighty-eighth took oar
place until we could get a fresh supply of ammunition and go into the fight again.
"Wo had scarcely gott-en well warmed up before Colonel Nugent saw that a
detachment of the enemy had mounted the foothills and was bearing down upon
P2TEB F. BAFFSBTT,
Privste, Co. B, eeih N. Y. Vol. Int.
HiKhegt rank ■tuinnd: Ca|>taln.
Born la New York CH;, June 13,1M5.
our flank. Nugent chained with both regiments, and we had a hand-to>hand
encounter with the famed Louisiana Tigers. The 'Terriers' wiped the 'Tigers'
off the field, but we were pretty well used up ourselves.
" It was in this part of the fight that I felt a stinging sensation in my right
thigh and realized that I was hit. It made me limp, but I concluded to stay in the
,ring — in fact there wouldn't have been anywhere else to go — until there should
J'^T'
'■I'LL STAY AND FIGHT IT OUT"
have been a lull in the fighting. After we had repulsed the 'Tigers,' our
company (B) took stock of the dead and wounded. Captain Thomas Leddy told
several of us who had been hit, to go to the rear, but there was nothing at the
rear that could do us any good — no surgeons, no ambulances. We would be
among strangers, and, if our army shifted its position, it might leave us in the
hands of the enemy.
'"I don't want to go to the rear, captain,' said I, 'I'm all right. I'll stay and
fight it out with the boys.* So after some ai^uing, the captain let all of us come
back to the company who were able to get around.
" fliit tUis 'TlK'tm* hadn't, had oiiouf^h, and, at about half-past eight, they came
(i|> Ut Uin iinHiiiill. uuiuu. 'I'himi wimj ii thouHand men on each side in full view
iif iiHc.li (iMinr, mill fi*r Um iiiiiiiit.4iH dhooting wan good. Then Colonel Nngent
ni'iliti'iiil it rliiuKii, iLiid I lial. wiw I tio ond of the ' Tigers.' Their colonel was captmed
ami with liini n k<)ihI imtny inoti.
" I iliihi'l: ciiiiiii iiiil. of ihiH Hornnd tight in as good condition as the first. I
Kill, iwii ItullniN ill thii iiHMiUi and the lower part of the jaw, which smashed the
Ihiiii^m hihI nu-rii<il iiwiiy part of my tongue. Besides this another went through
my flint oiiltii'iiiK a(. tlii« Inp and coming out at the sole.
" I WH.-* U<ft. (11) tho liold for a long time, and two days later was captared
aud Mint to l.ihtiy, i-t^tirhiiig thoiv on the Fourth of July. In those last seven
\iayH of li^liliiig I liiid ivi'oiviHl just mU'CU wounds but as I was rated a good
Mhot iit luy roinimiiy. uud couUl hit anything 1 fired at, it is very likely that I
did nut Imvo ttio worst of the twrgain.
"t wtks tt\oliuug\Hl later, and was dischai^ed in March. 1S63. on account of
my wounds, tiaxiu^ st'rvtxi a year and a half. In 1S64 1 had recovered suffi-
I'ioHtly tv' lY oiiUst in ttie Sixth IHstrict of Columbia Volunteers, in which I was
U<;«ut*»uaui."
CAPTURED TWO REBELS
r — »«=^'
4
Ir wv$ at the battle of Hcuon Roug?. La., on the 5th
of August. ISSi that John (.'. Curtis, then a second
lU'utetiaat. ivHortited an act of military daring, which
wou :htf I'laudtt* ot hi* cv>mnidi?!>. the commendation of
oiSctr*. Aud the -.>di<::ai rwv'^itioa of his 'Jovemment.
rweuty-dvy 2u-^dr»rd Fed^nwls faced a &je of twioe
:2i;* strvL'^frh. bVr eUct hour* the stroa^e condntaed
witii var;-'.'.:^ sut-Ttfss unul the Union iunboaoi Esex.
Siiru:yr. iL'd Kiiv: cu'^e to the sut'wct oc th* Cniope
A;!«i rvii>i.«?c«u tuv'!*,: v-il.ia^Se j;*«'L.>:an«:e.
•n'ru'n! '•V:'.:aL'i->. •*■!•.■ .■: j> " r'L'."ia::t ctiar^ led Che
\ ,1.1 (■'•:■■*■ '■ •■.■'" r"' vx? ^■C' 't ; ; 'i;': ^'iiesc 'And. killieti
;■,- tL.- ■ T - .•'■.jTijy---- --:*:- -ri: :ary •-•ir'-'amaewt'e*
irriiLLMtT r. ^-i' \i -. .-j. :>*-:< 1 ya:::i: ^umoic Ufa*
V. !>; ," ■■:" ■-.:■■ :;s " ;- -^. :■ v-e' -rr vrvvenwd aay
'■■ "V's-- \-.- ■>■■ .:.:■ .'Tir^is. Eg. (tn-
■>; •:.:■; -^i- -■■; - v;.- i -vi > ri tiie timl.
•■- . " ■!; '. ^ 1.- ■ .-■::■ >■- i\n cank.
:r - . ■ ■■ - .: -- i.!.i tz -iw gumc
A DANGEROUS MISSION
"AT THE battle of Cedar Mountain," writes
r\ Private Yunker, "our command was
flanked by the enemy on the right, and
we came under a heavy cross-fire from our
own guns in the rear, while we were, at
the same time, under a severe fire, at close
range, from the Confederate batteries. Our
men fell dead and wounded almost by
companies. Captain Anderson called for a
volunteer to carry an order back to our
artillery, to cease firing on us, and notic-
ing that the men were hesitating, I stepped
forward, took the order and safely deliv-
ered it to the captain of the battery.
"On my quarter-of-a-mile trip, shot and shell and missiles of every descrip-
tion flew around me like hail, but I reached the officer unharmed, and on my
return received only a slight wound in the left arm."
It requires but slight powers of reading between the lines, to discern, in
this brief and modest recital, a deed of the utmost bravery. It appears, that
the enemy, perceiving the mission of the daring volunteer, made him the ob-
jective point of their concentrated fire during his trip to and from the battery,
so that his escape alive was a very narrow one. Although wounded in the
performance of this service, he returned to his company and resumed his place
in the fighting line.
JOHN 1. YUMKZB,
lie, Co. A. laih U.S.Intanlrr.
lemberK, Germany. Noirember W, li
Cedar Mountain.— On the 9th gf August, General Pope in command of the Army of Virginia, with
about 32,000 men, came in contact with a rebel force, under Jackson, of between 18,000 and 20,000, at a little
Btream called Cedar Run, near Gordonsville, Va.
The cannonading on both sides web heavy, and the battle was of short duration, fortune eeeming, at
flrst, in favor of the Union men ; but a brilliant rally, led by Jackson himself, changed the conditions, and
the rebels drove our troops from the fleld. The loss to Pope's command amounted to about 1,400; the Con-
tederate loss being 1,307.
A TIMELY WARNING
OKB O
of
\KB of the most conspicuous individual incidents
the second battle of Bull Bun was the ex-
ploit of James Webb, who relates the circnmstances
and partly describes the fight.
" We went into action with the Nineteenth New
York Infantry, and while waiting tor orders, with
jAHEs w. wBBB. the Tenth on our left, we were permitted to make
HiBh™tr.'iik'itiiii,«i:'Brey"t"c»^uin. coffeo. Wo had Dot been loDg at this, when Colonel
TOO yn, N. .. Sept. X. iM. q jj^ WarTou rodo up, and, after a consultation with
General Reynolds, gave the order, 'Forward, guide center,' and away we
went, carrying our kilters of coffee with us. We continued the march until
within about ten paces from the edge of the woods, where Longstreet's Army,
under Hood and Evans, was concealed. Six companies of the Tenth were de-
ployed to the front as skirmishers, but in a few minutes they came back helter-
skelter, having found the enemy in the woods.
"The rebels came out directly behind them, so that we were unable to fire,
lest we fire into our own men, and we therefore opened our ranks to let the
skirmishers through. The enemy's fire was too much for us, and we were
swept off the field as if mown down by a scythe. When we got beyond the
creek we halted, and what was left of us reformed.
"Though we had been through the Peninsular Campaign under GeneraJ
McClellan, we were dodging bullets like raw recruits. While thus engaged, I
saw that Hazlett's Battery (D), Fifth U. S. Artillery, was still in position at
the edge of the woods, firing away as if victory were ours, and wholly unaware
of the fact that our forces had drawn back. There was the battery, without
support of any kind, and Evans' Brigade preparing to charge it. I wondered
what that battery was doing out there all alone, and, in my excitement I
called out that they would be captured. I said:
" ' I am going over there and tell them of their danger,' and with that I
started across the field.
At till! Second Battle of Bnll Bnn, whieh oecurred on the 30th of AufruBt, 1862, Genei^ Pope was in
coinniaiid ufa Torcu near Qravetnn.conaUtlngoftwoufHi'intzelman'a divisions, under Hooker and Eearaej,
on the right, and Reno and Sigel, on the lett. He wafi oppmed bj Lee's entire arm;.
The attack was mode on the enemj's left, with disastrous roHult to the Union force- On the followiag
day the attack was renewed on the left, which at firat retired, as Lee's plan waa also to attack Pope on hU
left. Porter's Curps, in pursuit of a supposed flying foe, received a severe check from the rebels concealed
in the woods, and was repulsed with great loss-
Our troops retreated across Bull Run under cover bt darkness, unpursued b; the enemy.
The Union loss in this engacement amounted to 14,462; the rebels lost 9,197.
" At this time the firing had ceased, but I was no more than about fifty feet
from our lines when the enemy, evidently surmising my intention, opened fire
upon me. The bullets whistled all around me, but I kept on, for I was in a
place where I could not stop.
"AS WE WERE HURRYING BACK"
" I finally reached the battery, which was about 600 feet away from us, and
managed to say to Lieutenant Hazlett:
'"The Rebs are on your front and rear!'
"He looked around, and, seeing his danger, at once ordered the battery to
limber up to the rear, and away we went to the Warrenton Turnpike.
"Just as we started, a bullet struck me in the side and went through me.
As we were hurrying back, each man for himself, there was no one to assist
me, and, after falling down three or four times, I finally reached the turnpike,
where I dropped.
"After lying there some time a surgeon came along, and, seeing that I was
pretty badly wounded, ordered me taken to the rear, a fit subject for the hos-
pital. This I did not want done, and, with the assistance of some of the boys,
Z made my way to Centreville, about eight miles distant. After my wound was
dressed, I joined my company and fought with it through the Maryland
campaign."
' SURRENDER-SURRENDER "
NERVE and pluck are essential qualifications of a soldier. They were aban-
dantly displayed by the Union men, but .here is a sample which earned for
Sergeant Mills an official recognition and will awaken the interest of every
reader. The sergeant himself narrates :
"I was on the advance guard with some of our men September 4, 1862,
when we moved towards Sandy Cross Roads. Some noise and faint cheering
gave us our direction. When we came in sight
of Sandy Cross Roads, we discovered the rebels.
Giving the signal to our troops, we rushed in
on the surprised enemy as fast as our horses
could carry us. It happened that my horse
carried me in the lead. Before I realized it,
I was right among the rebels. That I came
out of the affair alive, was a surprise to me.
At the time, however, I thought of nothing
but to capture the enemy before me. Unmind-
ful of all danger I kept yelling to them : ' Sur-
render's urrender.'
"The rebels were completely taken by sar-
prise. They believed the Yankees to be miles
away. They were actually paralyzed and did
not recover from their surprise, until the cap-
tain anived with the rest of our troops. Then they tried a little resistance —
some of them even stood their ground, others ran and got behind anything
they could find.
"During the m6l6e a rebel aimed his gun at Captain Hamilton, but I bad
just time enough to spur in on him and cut him down, before he fired.
"We captured about 120 Confederates and nearly 100 horses and mules.
While occupied in gathering them in, a most satisfactory job for a soldier, a
colored lad came up to me and told me, that two prisoners had got away and
gone down the road with a niulo and cart. He added ;
" ' Bosh, they may stop at a store four miles down the road.' Here was some-
thing for me to do ; I took one man and started after them, in the hurry even
foi^etting to notify the captain.
"We soon came iu sight of the store and. sure enough, the mule was tied
outside. Xo one saw us come up, so I dismounted, gave my bridle to my com-
panion, and crept up to the store. The rebels were just relating their experi-
TRi.SK W. KILLS,
ence with the damned Yankees, when I sailed m on them and shouted : ' Sur-
render'; I fired a shot in order to scare them, and, finding their guns near the
door, had little trouble in capturing everything in sight.
"As we hastened the mule and the prisoners back to our lines, we barely
escaped being left behind by our command. Captain Hamilton was very glad to
"WE HASTENED THE PRISONERS BACK"
see us return. He had missed us, and was reluctant to go without us, though
he knew, that every minute spent on this ground might have brought an attack
by the rebels to free their comrades.
"Our prisoners felt greatly mortified to think, that a sergeant and thirty-five
Tankee soldiers should have captured them, when it had been within their power
to 'do us up,' and let no one go back to tell the story."
A HIGHLY HONORED SOLDIER
JOSEPH L. FOLLBT,
Id Ueutcn&Dt, Co. Q, 1st Uo. L. AM,
UigbMt rank atMlned: UeaMDant-Colonel.
Bom kt Newark. N. J., Feb. », ISO.
LiBOTEHANT JosBPH L. FoLLET enlisted as a
private in Co. G, First Missouri Infantry in
1861. From September of that year he served
continuously throughout the war, never altsent
from his command a single day and, though
twice wounded, always in active service, lie
saw, perhaps, as much real hard fighting;, and
actual duty, as any other man. He ha* the
distinction of heing the youngest officer iu
command of a hattery.
"I was nineteen years old," Lieu-
tenant Follet writes, "when at the
battle of Perryville, Ky., I had charge
of a battery as first sergeant. Again
at the age of twenty-one, as a second
lieutenant, I drew and equipped a
six-gun battery and reported to Gen-
eral King on Lookout Mountain. I
commanded Fort Sheridan, one of the defenses at the right of Chattauo<^a,
which I afterward turned over to my successor. Lat«r I was appointed ad-
jutant of the Artillery District of the Etowah, — General J. B. Steedman com-
manding,— comprising the defenses oE Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, and
Bridgeport."
Lieutenant Follet took part in all the battles and campaigns under Generals
Sheridan, Pope, King, and Steedman, who repeatedly selected him to carry
orders under the most trying circumstances. He himself says in regard to
these services:
"It really looked sometimes as though I would never return. On more than
one occasion I had a miraculous escape from death."
That Lieutenant Follet in tUe pursuit of these missions overcame all
dangers and obstacles is evidence of his daring bravery and great presence of
mind.
He was wounded at the battle of New Madrid, Mo., March 2, 1862, and at
Farmington, Miss,, May 9, 1862, yet, as stated before, continued in active serv-
ice. He received his Medal of Honor for his intrepidity and fine soldierly
qualities throughout his military career and was honored by General Sheridan
by special mention in several reports of important battles and in the general*8
personal memoirs.
A HIGHLY HONORED SOLDIER
LItllJTKNANT .lilHKI'II L. l<'oiJ.KT eilliHtod ILH a
privitUi ill I'll. (], Fintt MinRoiiri Infaiil.ry in
IHIII. Krniii Kii|)ti4iii)i(4r ttf tlmt your he H(ti-v(4il
OitiitiiiiiniiHly IIii'<iiikIii>iiI tho wur, uovor almont
fniiii liiH i-ontniitixl ii hiiikIo duy ai)d, tluiii^li
t.wii>it wi>iiiii|u(l, iilvviiyH in lu'.tivo Horviito. Ilo
mw, piu'lititiri, iiH luiirli rout liuitl fi|j;htiii(t. anil
ut'liitil iliil,v, HH uii,v iiilit>r inaii. Ilo hiut thd
tliritiiiotioii of litiiiiK till) ytitiiiKiwi t>(llcor iu
oiitiiiiiiiiiil i>( u litiltt^ry.
"I wiui iiiiHvtotiii ytmrn iiUl," I.iou-
touuiit h'ullttl. wi'ihtH, "whoii lit tho
liattlw uf I'orryvilli*. Ky„ 1 hud ohai-jji*
(if a Ituttoi-y U.1 lirni MM-KtHUit. Adtiiii
at tho agtt tit twotity-oiio, as a mh'oiuI
tit^iitoimiit, I iliitw and oiiuii>iH^l a
HU-yim Imttory and rtHHirttnl to tJou-
erul King on hookout Mtmntuiii. I
tHiuviuaiidml Vuvi SUortdait, ono of the defonst^ at the right of Chattanof^a.
whioh I aftorwimi tiiruod over to my suowwsur. I^ater 1 was appointed ad-
jutant u( tho Ai'liUoiy Oiiiti'iot of tho Ktowah, — iJonoral J. It. Steedman com-
uiandiiii{, iH>ntpi'i!iin^ ttio defense of lAH>kout Mountain. Cliattanooga, and
lUidgoiKHt."
Uotitooaxkt b\>llot to^>K i>art iu all tho battW and oampaigns under Generals
Sti&ridau, l\»i>o, Kiiiy, and Sto*Himau, who nL'peatetlly ^loi'ted him to carry
Oti^loiH uudor tho UK>eit trying (■trvuiu:!ttamt>i$. tlo himselF says in r^ard to
tho."* wvvUtw:
'■ It roatly UK>iod wmotiutes a$ thou^ I would never returiL On more than
ono vHH'aiiioii I hail a itiirwulous etscat'*'' Erou' death."
't'tiat l-ioutonaut b'ollet iu the pursuit of thew missioos oTereame all
datigi^iii Aud I'Wtaoltw is ovt>.lom:o ojf his dariujc bravery aud great prewnee of
uttud.
Ho was wouiidot.1 at the battle of Now il^lrid. Mo.. March i ISHSS. and 9k
fcViuLitij'toit, ML**,, May tf. lS6:i. yet. a? seated before. i.'outinaed ia aetow senr-
i«.-«. Htf I'et.'eivtft.l hU MedaJ. of tlouor toe bis iucreuidity and tiae sabSB^yr
quiiUtiw thivujjboufc his military oireer aud was honored by General ^miiiui:
by ^^Hix-Ld.l uietiCiou m sevt;ral re(.'ort:j of i'jiit.'urtaiii: bactlet; and in the geaeaaaJTs
pt)rM.>jual meuiuit^i.
jjgEPH L. FOLLR,
M UeuirUDt. Co. U. UI Ho. L. Art.
uiKhMt nnk kllalnrd: UraMunt-Colooal.
Burn kt KrwiTk. N. J.. Frb. W. IML
(^.;«««!:.--UU-(S ."'
HEROIC STAND OF A BRAVE
YOUNG CORPORAL
"QEFOEB daylight of September 6, 1862, the men
D o£ Battery H, New York Light Artillery
of which I was a corporal, were encamped in the
streets of Little Washington, N. C. We were
ordered to fall in, and an expedition consisting
of Battery H, four guns, a detachment of
cavalry and infantry and a supply train,
started for some point unknown to us.'
WIL901J SMITH. " The morning was dark and foggy. Sev-
Born aioriBkany Falls. N.Y.. Sept. 7, iMi. Bral guDDoats lay m tho stroam, the men
on board being asleep. After the column
had moved sis or seven blocks, firing was heard to the left. Then a mounted
officer appeared, shouting that the town had been surprised by a large force.
A stampede immediately followed this announcemeut and the column ahead was
in complete confusion. The cavalry following maintained discipline. The order
of the commanding officer: 'Steady, men' could be plainly heard. The lieu-
tenant in chBi^e of one gun having disappeared in the confusion, I assumed com*
mand and proceeded rapidly in the direction of the firing.
"After advancing some blocks we came upon the remainder of the battery
unlimbered and ready for action. We continued until we reached River Street,
where the gun was unlimbered and loaded with canister. Our piece was unsup-
ported. As the men finished loading, the fog lifted, and a body of men filling
the entire street, and numbering about 600, was discovered marching rapidly
toward our gun. I hesitated, not knowing who they were. Just then Adjutant
Guiero, of the Third New York Cavalry, rode up and said:
'"Young man, why don't you fire?'
"I replied: 'I don't know who they are.'
"'Quite right,' he said. 'I'll soon see.'
"He advanced in the direction of the men, but, in an instant, he wheeled
and shouted: 'In God's name fire!'
" Then I gave the order to fire, and in a few minutes fifteen charges of
canister were hurled against the advancing men, who first halted, and then re-
treated rapidly in the direction whence they came. Up to this time not one of
my smalt detachment had been injured except myself, a bullet cutting my ear
slightly.
"The gun was then limbered, and we followed the enemy up the street to the
next block, where the Tar River Bridge provides an entrance to the town.
~N
•h
IM OVER THE WALL"
to pall him over the wall. He atrnggled vigorously and struck me in the face
several times, hut I got him over the wall and knocked him down compelling
him to surrender.
"I then turned my attention to some of his men, who were taking refuge
behind a clump of trees. I pointed my revolver at them and demanded their
surrender. Four of them dropped their guns and came over to the Union side
of the wall, but a fifth man came up to me with his gun in his hand and
fiwore he would not give up to a Yankee. He took aim at me as he spoke, and
I dropped behind the wall just as he fired.
"He turned to run away and I at once rose from my position and emptied
the contents of my revolver into him. I then ordered the captain and bis four
men to fall in, and marched them over to the colonel of my regiment."
BOLDLY CAPTURED FOURTEEN REBELS
PRIVATE Jahbs Allen furnishes a fine example of
audacity and presence of mind in the following
narration:
"On the 14th of September, 1862, our regiment
engaged the enemy at South Mountain, Md. A charge
brought us to a dense cornfield, separated from the
base of the mountain by a stone wall.' While we were
charging through the com, the command: 'Right
rjblique ' was given, which a comrade and myself did
not hear. We kept straight on toward the wall.
When quite near it we were met by a volley which
checked us for a moment. My comrade said to me:
"'Hold on, Jim, what shall we do!'
" ' We'll charge them from behind that wall,' I replied.
"At our approach the rebels retreated from the
breastworks up the steep mountain side. We followed and climbed the wall. A
ball struck my brave comrade in the left leg and made him unfit for further
ly-T
JAMBS ALLEN,
le. Co. F, leih N, Y. Inrantr;
ora In lr«lsad, Ma;6, 1S4S.
South Hon ntmln.— After the capture ot Colonel Miles with 11,683 men, at Harper's Ferry, General
Jackson hurried with the great«r part of hia force to rejoin General Lee.
McClellan learning the Confederate plan, ordered Franklin's Corps to pass through Crampton'a Gap
of the South Mountain, a continuation of the Blue Ridge, to relieve Harper's Ferr; ; the corps of Reno and
Hooker he moved to Turner's Gap.
McClellan himself arrived at the passes on the 14th of September, but Lee had observed the move-
ment and posted forces at both points.
A blood; all-da; battle ensued in which the Union men forced the passage of the mountain.
The loss at Turner's Gap was 1,600 on each side, l,fiOO prisoners being taken by the Union troops. At
Orampton's Gap, the loss vraa about 600 on each side, and 400 rebel prisoners were taken.
■■Kiui
lllKlll, I
1I»M tl...>
.•.uitia.to
l.iM.K Mil
■■Tho
Wlu'lV Ui
tllHt \V:)-<
I\»IU lu'lll
action. I found a eomfrnteble place
for the poor fellow in a crevice and
gave bim a drink from my canteen.
'Kichards/ said I, 'if I poll throng
all right, I'll come and take care of
yon.' I then followed the retreat-
ing rebels.
"By this time they had reached
a road ranning up the mountain
which v/as skirted on our side by
another wall, over which they had
disappeared. The only thing for me
to do was to climb also. As I drew
myself up, I was met by another
volley, but was only slightly wounded.
" Putting on a bold face, and wav-
ing my arms, 1 said to my imaginary
company: 'tip, men. up!'
"The rebels, thinking they were
cornered, stacked their arms in re-
sponse to my order to surrender. I
made haste to get between them
and the guns, and found that I had
fourteen prisoners and a flag taken
from the color-guard.
"While thus situated I saw our
colonel advancing up the road. Just
out of gunshot he stopped, and tak-
ing \\i9 glasses, carefnlly scanned my
party. He then approached, and,
lliii itnliiih, itnh> Imck for a guunl. to whom 1 handed over the prisoners.
wiiiK Unit tilt' mountuin top was tht» position to l>e secured by my r^-
rtoiil up in mivmu-e. ami when tlipy arrived and saw the captured
j-iui' ilinv hotuty (.-luvrs. 1 spoke to the colonel about my wounded
l.viiiK Tar down tbo luouiitain side, and a {^irty was sent at once to
111 in
iiiomhhi; follow iiii; this opisinle fonnd us on the march to Antietam,
o aiiiwvi Ht Omv oVUvk and went into the tight, charging a batteiy
■•Ik- ■.".;■■>; v>ur (lononil IK'^^i'iia!. whon' iht' ^urireons were at work. We
I'.ii- -^s^^of^ ;»'.ui tliiM; Uiy on tho i:rv>v.ud, in jvsition. for twentj-
"^
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tfiO^ -J
v-^
f':^
Ek^'4
WSl^
1*
1
1
*rf
T^
'irn^
i
mukM
i
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n
t ' ■ ■ ^
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^
il.ANNINU ALIEN'S I'ntWNERS
JOHN COOK, THE BOY GUNNER
" f WAS fifteen years of age, and was bugler
*■ of Battery B, which suffered fearful
losses in the field at Antietam where I
won my Medal of Honor," writes Bugler
John Cook.
"General Gibbon, our commander, had
just ordered Lieutenant Stewart to take
his section about one hundred yards to the
right of the Hagerstown Pike, in front of
two straw stacks, when he beckoned me ^
to follow. No sooner had we unlimbered,
when a column of Confederate infantry,
emeiging from the so-called west woods,
poured a volley into us, which brought
fourteen or seventeen of my brave com-
rades to the ground. The two straw stacks
offered some kimd of shelter for our wounded,
and it was a sickening sight to see thf^e
poor, maimed, and crippled fellows, crowding on top of one another, while sev-
eral stepping but a few feet away, were hit again or killed.
"Just then Captain Campbell unlimbered the other four guns to the left of
Stewart, and I reported to him. He had just dismounted, when he was hit
twice, and his horse fell dead, with several bullets in its body. I started with the
captain to t,be rear and turned him over to one of the drivers. He ordered me to
report to Lieutenant Stewart and tell him to take command of the battery. I re-
ported, and, seeing the cannoneers nearly all down, and one, with a pouch full of
JOHH COOK,
Bugler, Battery B, 4th V. 9. Artillery.
Bom In CiDclDDSti, Ohio. Aug. 10. ISn,
Antietam.— After his repulse at South Mountain, General Lee. with his force reduced to about 60,000
crossed Antietam Creek and took up a strong position, with both Banks resting on the Potomac, the creek
flowing in front, crossed by three bridges and two fords, all but the north bridge being strongly guarded.
In the afternoon of Tuesday, the 16th of September, 1862, General Hooker crossed the Antietam by the
upper bridge, and, assisted by Sumner's Corps, attacked Jackson's Sank the next moming, when the bloody
battle began in earnest.
At one o'clock Bumside carried the ridge commanding Sharpsburg and captured a. battery, but a Con-
federate division, 2,000 strong, coming up, compelled him to abandon it.
About this time the battle ceased without apparent I'ictory t« either aide and with terrible slaughter
on both.
Two-thirds of McClellan's force of 90,000 had been engaged with Lee's entire army. The TTnion loM
was 12,400, of which number 2,010 were killed. The Confederates' total loss was over 26,000.
-76 —
ammonition, lying dead, I unstrapped the pouch, started for the battery, and worked
as a cannoneer. We were then in the very vortex o£ the battle. The enemy bad made
three desperate attempts to capture us, the last time coming within ten or fifteen feet
of our guns. It was at this time that General
Gibbon, seeing the condition of the bat-
tery, came to the gun that stood in
tlie pike, and in full uniform of a
brigadier-general, worked as a gun-
1101' and cannoneer. He was very
conspicuous, and it is indeed sur-
prising, that be came away alive.
" At this battle we lost forty-
four men, killed and wounded, and
about forty horses which shows
how hard a fight it was."
Bugler John Cook,
although but fourteen
years of age when he
enlisted, showed great
courage and daring in
every battle in which
he participated. At
Gettysburg, Captain
Stewart was compelled
to use the bugler as an
orderly because the
battery suffered such
heavy losses. He car-
ried messages to the
left half of the battery,
nearly a half mile
away, the route be-
ing well covered by
the enemy's riflemen,
who lost no opportuni-
ty of firing at him, thus
making it a most perilous undertaking. At the same battle he assisted in de-
stroying the ammunition of a damaged and abandoned caisson, to prevent its
being of use to the enemy, who were clo.sing in on the Union men.
ASSISTING THE CAPTAIN
'BOB, I'LL HELP THE DOE-BOYS."
THE Fourth U. S. Artillery being short of men, and unable to get recruits for
the regular service, Captain Gibbon obtained permission from the War De-
partment, to fill his battery detaching men from volunteer regiments. One of
„ the men selected from the
many vfho responded
to the call was
Private Wil-
liam P. Ho-
garty of the
Twenty -third
New York In-
fantry.
He was one
of the volun-
teers who were
promoted to the
vacancies in the
rank of non-com-
missioned officers, and
was made lance corporal.
It is necessary to explain
here, that detached volunteers cannot hold an actual rank in the regular service.
Hence, when Hogarty was promoted lance corporal to fill the vacancy in the
rank of non-commissioned officera, the duties and obligations of that rank were
exacted of him, though his pay and actual rank were not above that of a private.
Bright and early on the morning of September 17, 1862, made over memorable
as the bloodiest one-day battle of the war, General Gibbon gave orders to Lieuten-
ant Stewart, commanding the center section, to go to the front with the ut-
most speed, and take position in advance of the skirmish line, on an elevated
piece of ground to the right of the Hagerstown road, in front of a cluster of
wheat stacks, and facing the Dunker Church about a half mile distant. The section
came into action, the cannoneers mounted and the horses started on a run. The
men had barely time to unlimber the guns, when the charging columns of " Stone-
wall " Jackson's Infantry were upon them, determined to capture the section
and turn the right wing of the army. This furious onslaught was met by a
rapid, accurate, and deadly fire from these two Napoleon guns of Stewart's sec-
tion, triple shotted with canister, which stopped the charge, driving the enemy
back with fearful loss. In this chaise Stewart's section lost fourteen men oat
of twenty-four actually engaged at the guns.
WaLIAK F. HOOARTT,
iTate, Co. D, ISd New York Infantry.
ined: Lieutenant. U. S. A,, and CspUiln, U. 8
orn In New York CHj. Feb. 18, 1S«.
-78-
■
While the enemy were reforming their lines preparatory to renewing their
attack, the other four guns of the battery under the command of Captain J. B.
Campbell came up taking position on the right and left of Stewart's section,
the left gun resting on the Hagerstown Pike.
The battery had little opportunity to remove its wounded to a bam in the
rear of the wheat stacks, and to replenish its exhausted ammunition, when the
re-enforced columns of Jackson's Corps again came madly charging on the bat-
tery. At the same time the enemy's artillery, massed on a hill to the right,
opened fire on it. This time, however, the charging masses were met by the
withering fire of the entire six guns, each double and triple shotted with can-
ister. At this critical juncture the '*Iron Brigade" charged the enemy on the
right, and a New York brigade, through the cornfield on the left. During the
fifteen or twenty minutes that the battle raged around Battery B, it seemed
that all the missiles of destruction were flying through the sulphur-laden atmos-
phere screeching, hissing, howling their discordant song of death.
During this final charge, Corporal Hogarty perceived through the stifling air
one of the guns of the battery, at which all the men had been killed or disa-
bled, standing idle on the summit of the slightly elevated ground, in a very
commanding position, just in advance of the line of battle. He seized a shrap-
nel, cut the fuse to explode the shell the moment it left the muzzle of the
gun, and alone and unaided fired it into the ranks of the enemy.
With a few remaining men and horses the battery was moved into the corn-
field on the left of the Hagerstown Pike, and again unlimbered for action in
the rear of a firing line of infantry, which acted as a screen and prevented it
from again becoming engaged. While here awaiting orders. Corporal Hogarty
picked up a loaded, new Springfield rifie from the side of a dead soldier. The
gun was capped and ready for firing. Turning to one of his comrades Hogarty
said: '*Bob, the supply of ammunition is running mighty low to-day, I think I
will take this gun up to the firing line and help the * Doe-boys.' (Doe-boys was
a nickname for infantry soldiers.)
After the battle of Antietam the battery, its ranks depleted marched with
the advance of the army through Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg in pur-
suit of the retreating enemy.
On the evening of December 12, 1862, Battery B, with the advance of the
First Corps, crossed the Rappahannock River at the lower pontoon bridge.
The next morning, the 13th, the battery engaged the enemy on the extreme
left of the army, driving them from their entrenchments. It then swung up to
the Bowling Green road, and immediately became engaged with a couple of the
enemy's batteries posted in their front in a commanding position.
The rebels having previously measured the ground closely, marked the dis-
tances, opened fire on the battery with deadly accuracy, but "old Battery B"
soon silenced them, dismounting their guns and blowing up their caissons. At
this critical point, while getting the range for his guns, Corporal Hogarty was
wounded by a four-inch solid shot striking him just above the elbow, tearing
off his left arm, necessitating subsequent amputation at the shoulder. The force
of the blow whirled him around. He fell, landing on his right arm and elbow.
He was not, however, rendered unconscious. Three of his comrades seeing him
fall came to his assistance, and*with a stick twisted a handkerchief around his
arm at the shoulder to stop, as much as possible, the flow of blood.
BAMOEL 0. WKIOHT,
S«Tge»nt. Co. E, S!>th Mass. Infantry.
Born at Plrmpton, Plymouth Co.. HoiB.
Sept. 3». IMi.
AT. BLOODY LANE
SERGEANT Samdbl C. Weioht, during his service in the
War of the Rebellion, participated in thirty battles.
In those engagements he was wounded five times
and twice reported dead. On one occasion he was
shot directly in the right eye, and still keeps the
bullet as an awful souvenir of his closeness to death.
In speaking of the taking of the fence at Antietam,
he says nothing of his own action but describes the
wild rush and retreat of the volunteers for that des-
perate service.
"September 16, 1862, found our division (Richard-
son's) in the advance from South Mountain to An-
tietam, where we came upon the enemy. The shot from the first piece of artil-
lery fired took off the leg of the color-bearer of my regiment. During the
afternoon of that day the artillery fight was at times very lively. Early the
next morning troops were sent to engage the enemy in our front. The roar of
cannon and small arms was deafening. But, while, from where we lay we could only
hear the cannonading, we could not see the enemy, as a growth of woods im-
paired our view. It was, perhaps, as well, that we could not see the carnage wrought.
"Soon an aid-de-camp, whose horse was white with foam, rode up to our
position and ordered us to cross to the support of the troops so hotly engaged.
We left hurriedly, made a detour to the right and left, and were soon fording
Antietam Creek. The stream was so deep, that in crossing, we had only to re-
move the stoppers of our canteens and they would fill themselves. We held
rifles and ammunition above our heads. The opposite bank reached, we re-
moved our shoes, wrung out our stockings, and were then ordered forward,
straight toward the 'Sunken Road.' Going up the hill we could see the cause
of our sudden call. The hill was strewn with dead and dying; yes, and with
those unhurt, for to stand was to be instantly killed by the sharpshooters who
T^'*^
filled the 'Sunken Boad.' The main army in line was only a few feet to the
rear of them.
"Some 200 yards in advance of our position, which we were holding at a
terrible cost, was a fence built high and strong. The troops in advance had tried to
scale the fence and reform under that hell of fire. They were actually torn in
shreds and wedged into the fence.
"The cry came to us for volunteers to pull down the fence. Instantly there
sprang from the long line, fast being shortened as the ranks closed up over the
dead, seventy-six volunteers. We ran straight for the
fence amid a hail of iron juid lead, the dead falling all p r.'*?^fiM\
about us, but to reach the fence was our only thought.
A part of the force reached ft, an^, as one would
grasp a rail it would be sent flying out of his hands
by rifle-shots.
" The fence leveled, we made the attempt to return,
and it was as hot for us on the retreat,
as it had been on the advance.
Few escaped death or
wounds. I had almost
regained my regiment,
when I was hit. The line
then successfully pressed
on, and the 'Sunken
Road,' or 'Bloody Lane,'
as it is now known, was
within our lines."
Serjeant Wright's in-
trepidity and fine soldier-
ly qualities were readily
conceded by his superior
officers and found sub-
stantial recognition by
two promotions on the
field of battle. He was
further rewarded by be-
ing placed in charge of
the prisons at Paris, Ky.,
and Tazewell, East Ten-
"AMID A HAtL OF LEAD"
CARED FOR THE WOUNDED
AMIDST A HAIL OF BULLETS
DR. SICHARD CITBEAK,
" t^^ ''^^^ morning of September 17, 1862, the
v-^ command to which I belonged arrived, after
a forced march, on the battlefield of Antietam,"
Assistant-Surgeon Richard Curran writes. "My regi-
ment and brigade were immediately put into action,
was the only 'medical officer present, and, in the absence
of orders how to proceed or where to report, I decided to
follow my regiment, a course which brought me at once
into the midst of a battle, terrible but brief, as the enemy,
after a stubborn resistance, yielded, and fell far to the AMt-surgeon.sMN.v. infMtrr.
rear. The loss in killed and wounded sustained by the
Third Brigade in this charge, and in the subsequent effort to hold the position,
was 313.
"The ground of the battlefield at this point was a shallow valley looking
east and west. The elevated land on the south was occupied by the Confeder-
ates, while the slight ridge on the north was held by our troops and batteries.
From this formation of ground it was impossible for our wounded to reach the
field hospital without being exposed to the fire of the enemy. Id a battle men
will suffer their wounds to go uncared for and undressed for a long time, if in
a measurably secure place, rather than expose their lives to obtain sui^cal at-
tention; and this was the case with our wounded. At this point the injured,
Union and Confederate, numbering many hundred, preferred to remain close to
the ground, and in shelter of the valley, rather than take the risk of seeking
care in the rear. During the severest of the fight, and later on, I was told
many times by the officers and men, that if I did not seek a place of safety I
would surely be killed. I realized that the danger was great, and the warnings
just, for, in the performance of my work I had to be on my feet constantly,
with no chance to seek protection. But here were the wounded and suffering of
my command, and here I believed was my place of duty, even if it cost my life.
"Close to the lines, and a little to the right, were a number of straw stacks.
I visited the place and found that many of the disabled had availed themselves
of this protection. Without delay I had the wounded led or carried to the
place, and here, with such assistance as I could oi^anize, although exposed to
the overhead firing of shot and shell, I worked with all the zeal and strength 1
could muster, caring for the wounded and dying until far into the night. My
only fear then was that my improvised straw-stack hospital would catch fire.
But we were spart i this misfortune and the harrowing scene which would have
followed. That tl ere was good reason for this fear is illustrated by one of
very many similar incidents. While dressing a wound on the leg of a soldier I
turned away to get something to be used in the dressing. On my return I found
the leg had been shot off by a cannon ball.
"Happily," the doctor concludes, "in no other position could i have rendered
IMPROVtSED STRAW-STACK HOSPITAL
equally good service, for I am confident that, by my action, many lives were
saved."
In the report of the commanding officers of the brigade, Doctor Curran ia
mentioned in one place as follows:
"Assistant-Surgeon Richard Curran, of the Thirty-third New York Volun-
teers, was in charge of our temporary hospital. \Yhich unavoidably was undei
tire. He attended faithfully to his severe duties, and I beg to mention thia
officer with particular commendation. His example is most unfortunately bnt
too rare."
TO SAVE THE STARS AND STRIPES
THE First Delaware Infantry," Sec-
ond Lieutenant Charles B. Tan-
ner writes, " formed the right of Briga-
dier-General Weber's Brigade. On the
morning of the 17th of September,
1862, we forded Antietara Creek and
marched in column for a mile and
facing to the left, advanced in line
of battle. We now formed the
first line of General French's Divi-
.sion of General Sumner's Second
Army Corps.
"Presently the enemy's batteries
opened a severe fire of spherical case,
shell and solid shot. We advanced
steadily through woods and comflelds, driving all
before us, and met the Confederates in two lines
of battle, posted in a sunken road or ravine, with
rudely constructed breastworks of rails, sod, etc.,
and still a third line of troops in a cornfield forty
yards in the rear, where the ground was gradually
rising and permitted them to fire at us over the
heads of those below. Our right was also exposed to the sudden and terrible
fire from the troops who'had broken the center division of our formation.
"The cornfield, where we had taken up our position terminated about 100
yards distant from the sunken road, leaving nothing but short grass pasture-
land between us.
"On coming out of the corn, we were unexpectedly confronted by heavy
masses of Confederate infantry, with their muskets resting on the temporary
breastwork. We all realized that the slaughter would be great, but not a man
flinched, and cheerfully we went to our baptism of fire.
"Our colonel dashed in front with the ringing order: 'Charge!' and charge
we did into that leaden hail. Within less than five minutes 286 men out of
635, and eight of ten company commanders, lay wounded or dead on that
bloody slope. The colonel's horse had been struck by four bullets; the lieu-
tenant-colonel was wounded and his horse killed, and our dearly loved colors
were lying within twenty yards of the frowning lines of muskets, surrounded
by the lifeless bodies of nine heroes, who died while trying to plant them in
that road of death.
CBAKLBS B. TAHNBK,
3d Lleutentnt, Co. U, tst Del. iDhntr;.
Klgheat rank stlBined: lat Lieut, Vali.
Bora At PblUdeLpbU, Pa., Not. ». 1841:
" Those of ns who were yet living got back to the edge of the cornfield, and
opened such a fire, that, though the enemy charged five times to gain possession
of the flag, they were driven back each time with terrible slanghter.
"We had become desperately enraged, thinking, not of life, but how to re-
gain the broad strips of bunting under which we had marched, bivouackedi
suffered, and seen our comrades
killed. To lose what we had
sworn to defend with our blood,
would have been, in onr minds, a
disgrace, and every man of the
First Delaware was ready to
perish, rather than allow the
colors to fall into the bands of
the enemy. Two hundred rifles
guarded the Stars and Stripes,
and, if they were not to be
recovered by us, the foe
should not have them,
while a single member of
the regiment remained
alive.
"Charge after charge
was made, and the gallant
Fifth Maryland, forming
on our left, aided in
the defense. The fire
from our lines direct-
ed to the center of
that dense mass of
Confederates, was appall-
ing. Over thirteen hun-
dred noble dead were covered
with earth in that sunken road
by the burying party on the
following day.
"When the Maryland boys joined us, Captain Rickets, of Company C, onr
regiment, called for volunteers to save the colors, and more than thirty brave
fellows responded. It seemed as if they had but just started, when at least
twenty, including the gallant leader, were killed and those who would have
rushed forward, were forced back by the withering fire.
"Maddened, and more desperate than ever, I called for the men to make
another eSort, and before we marched fifty yards only a scattering few remained
"I REACHED THE GOAL"
able to get back to the friendly corn, in which we sought refuge from the tem-
pest of death.
" Then Major Thomas A. Smyth ( afterward Major-General, and killed
on the day Qeoeral Lee surrendered) said he would concentrate twenty-five
picked men, whose fire should be directed right over the colors.
'"Do it,' I cried, 'and I will get there!'
"There were hundreds of brave men yet alive on that awful field, and, at my
call for assistance, twenty sprang toward me-
"While covering that short distance, it seemed as if a million bees were
singing iu the air. The shouts and yells from either side sounded like menaces
and threats. But I had reached the goal, had caught up the staff which was
already splintered by shot, and the colors pierced with many a hole, and stained
here and there with the lifeblood of our comrades, when a bullet shattered my
arm. Luckily my legs were still serviceable, and, seizing the precious bunting
with my left hand, I made the best eighty-yard time on record, receiving two
more wounds.
"The colors were landed safely among the men of our regiment just as a
lai^e body of Confederate infantry poured in on our flank, compelling us to face
in a different direction. We had the fiags, however, and the remainder of the
First Delaware held them against all comers."
Lieutenant Tanner modestly forgets to mention one fact in his vivid pen-
picture, to wit: That he was promoted on the spot and his bravery formed
the text of a flattering report.
After recovering from his wounds he participated in several engagements
equally as exciting, and one year later was so badly disabled, that he was
given his dischai^e. Nevertheless, three months later the lieutenant again took
np the sword and remained in active service until the war had virtually come
to an end. Altogether he was wounded three times and has had as many nar-
row escapes from death as any soldier in the army.
JA.OOB 0. OKTH,
Con>onl>Co. D.lStti Pa. lat»atTj.
Born In Phn>delphl[i. Pa., Nov. », 18K
A STRUGGLE FOR
THE COLORS
COBPORAL Jaoob G. Orth disposes of his own daring exploit with the follow-
ing sketch: "Business commenced quite early for the Twenty-eighth Penn-
sylvania Infantry at Antietam. It was six o'clock in the morning, when we
charged and drove the rebels back across the fields to an apple orchard where
we encountered a very hard task. No less than three rebel regiments and a
battery were our opponents. To secure a victory over them meant hard
fighting.
"It fell to my lot to encounter the color-sergeant of the Seventh South Ca.i^
olina regiment. A hand-to-hand fight ensued. The final result of our short but
sharp conflict was, that the Carolinian was minus his flag, and I had secured
the trophy. I also had a shot wound through my shoulder. Sis other stands of
colors were taken by our regiment in this charge."
This description, though brief, is sufficiently clear to indicate a hard, stub-
bom, and desperate struggle between two men intent on the possession of the
same object, and reckless of the consequences to themselves.
WOUNDED WHILE CAPTURING A FLAG
AT THE battle of Antietam, Captain Theodore W. Greig, then a lieutenant in
the Sixty-first New York Infantry, captured the battle flag of the Fourth
Alabama. The two regiments were close together, firing into each other's
ranks, when, with a bravado spirit the Alabama color-bearer planted his flag in
— 87 —
the ground a few paces in front of his regiment, as if defying the Federals and
daring them to capture it.
Greig saw it, and the thought of capturing it had no sooner entered his
mind, than he was off, running like mad across the open space. The flag was
in his hands before the Alabamians realized what was happening, but as the
young oflBcer started back, a shower of bullets was sent after him. Near his
lines he fell, shot in the neck, but, recovering his strength, saved the flag that
he had so gallantly captured.
SURROUNDED BY REBELS
DURING the battle at Antietam, Colonel William H. Irwin, finding it nec-
essary to dislodge the enemy's sharpshooters, who were annoying a Union
battery of four Napoleon guns, ordered the Seventh Maine out for that purpose.
The regiment advanced in front of the skirmishers on the left. Major Hyde
also threw out skirmishers and soon drove in those of the enemy from the edge
of a cornfield and a hollow in front of timber.
The battalion was ordered forward, and, as the enemy opened fire on it from
the front and left flank, a charge was ordered. With fixed bayonets the men
rushed forward cheering, led by the gallant major. A body of the enemy in an
orchard to the left, being flanked, broke and ran. Those directly in front, be-
hind haystacks and outbuildings, also broke, and, their colors having fallen, the
Seventh pushed on up the hill to secure them, when a rebel regiment suddenly
rose from behind a stone wall on its right, poured in a volley, and, at the same
time, double-quicked around to the left to cut off the retreat. Those in front,
seeing the small number of Union troops, had rallied and advanced in force.
Looking back and seeing no chance to escape, Major Hyde marched the regi-
ment by the left flank, formed them on a crest in the orchard, poured a volley
into those who were endeavoring to cut off the retreat,' and faced those in front.
Here the regiment received a severe fire from three directions. A rebel battery
opened on it with grape, and it suffered heavy loss, although shielded somewhat
by the trees of the orchard.
Having disposed of most of their cartridges, the men retreated through the
orchard, gave the rebels, who attempted to follow, another volley, which drove
them back, and, closing up on their colors, marched back in good order to their
old position on the left of the Third Brigade.
The affair had lasted perhaps thirty minutes. The color-sergeant was killed
and all the other guards shot but one, who brought off the regimental flag rid-
dled with bullets. Of the 181 men, who went into action, there were twelve
killed, sixty-three wounded, and twenty missing.
THE LAST ON ANTIETAM'S
BLOODY BATTLEFIELD
T
FRANK II. WHinUM,
C<iri>on1, Co. (i,&ilh Muw. IntantT]',
Born at Woodmwk. Oifonl Co., Maine, 8ept
10 TBNTDBB, for the sake of wounded com-
rades, into a conspicuous and dan^rons
position is the height of soldierly plack.
Corporal Frank M. Whitman describes it
thus:
" At the battle of Antietam, General Barn-
side, commander of the Ninth Corps, was or-
dered to take and hold the bridge that crossed
a stream of water, on the opposite side of
which the Confederates were in large^ force
and well protected by the natural formRtion
of the bank.
"The duty of takiug this bridge was given to our brigade by the commander
of the corps. The fight was a fierce one, but was soon won by our forces. We
then advanced in line of battle up the bill, driving the enemy before us, nntil
we reached a very high stone wall, behind which they made another stand.
This stone wall ran along the ascending slope of the next hill beyond the one
over which we were advancing. Our forces steadily went up and over the first
hill and were part way down the descending slope, when our progress was
stopped by the terrible fire of the enemy.
"We were obliged to retire. I and a few others were separated from our
comrades and left behind with the dead and wounded on the field. We fired a
last volley, receiving one in return which sent death to one of our men.
"Lying low and carefully watching, I discovered the enemy moving to an-
other part of the field a short distance away. Cautiously I looked around among
the men, and found that two besides myself were alive and unhurt. Turn which
way one would, nothing could be seen or heard but the dead, the dying and the
wounded, and the suppressed moans and cries of agony from all directions; here
and there crieis fur a cooling drink of water, or a call for assistance and a help-
ing hand. Mangled bodies of brave men, wherever one turned! A ghastly scene,
that will ever be before my eyes!
'"We three undertook to relieve the suffering as far as we could and to get
the wounded away from the place. This work we continued for several hours,
after which we set out to find the regiment. On regaining our lines, at my
urgent solicitation, two officers and a number of men were sent with me to re-
move as many wounded as possible without drawing the fire of the enemy.
"On returning to the field, we fbund that the enemy hsd advanced his picket
line some distance beyond his own line, and well up tc that of ours. Because
of this advance our picket would not allow us to go outsido of the lines, but I
pleaded with him so earnestly, that I was permitted to make the attempt to
get a wounded comrade of my own company. This was a very delicate task,
for had I attracted the attention of the enemy, an engagement would, without
doubt, have been precipitated. Stealthily, however, I worked my way to where
my comrade lay, within a few feet of the enemy's pickets, and told him in a
whisper what I could do for him with his co-operation. My friend, though suf-
fering great pain from a wound in the leg that caused his death three weeks
afterward, mutely and thankfully took up the journey to our lines, which, though
near, seemed yet so far away. With great diflScuIty the task was accom-
plished, and we got within the lines, unobserved by the enemy, or at least
without drawing their fire. The two oflBcers and other men were able to
remove quite a number of our wounded to a place where they could receive
medical care.
"The morning dawned sad and dreary through the falling rain. Company G
was astir early, and counting its members, I saw only eight present, with myself
the sole surviving company officer. All commissioned and non-commissioned oflBcers
who had been in action, except myself, were gone. Nine were killed and
thirty-five wounded."
In a later engagement the brave corporal was shot and lost his right leg.
THE FLAG WAS SAVED
0-
THE usually brief and indifferent ofiBclal
record grows more eloquent when it
refers to Sergeant William H. Paul and his
inspiring behavior on the field of battle.
The sergeant himself, modest as well as
braye, tells the following:
"During the battle of Antietam, our
corps was being vigorously attacked in a
wooded and hilly part of the country,
where our forces could not very well cope
with an enemy accustomed to bush fight-
ing. Nevertheless, in a hard and deadly
struggle we were slowly but surely driv-
ing the enemy back, when Color-Sergeant
Mason, who was in advance of our lines some
four or five yards, cheering us on, was shot.
" A rebel detachment immediately rushed forward to capture the fallen
colors. Seeing this, I placed myself at the head of a few men, probably ten in
number, and chained out to meet the enemy, and if possible rescue the
colors. We clashed with a shock, and a sharp hand-to-hand fight ensued in
which two of our men were killed and five so severely wounded, that they
were unable to be of any assistance.
"A rebel had already seized the colors, but I grasped them and with one
supreme effort wrenched the precious banner from his hold. Waving it high
above my head, I carried it throughout the remainder of the battle. In the
miUe my comrades managed to kill one of the enemy and capture another.
"1 afterwards carried the flag in all the battles in which our regiment par-
ticipated, until after the battle of Gettysburg, when I was relieved from further
duty as color-bearer, because of a wound received during that battle."
Wnj.IAH H. PAUL,
Sergeanl.Co. E,«ath Pa. Infmnlrr.
Bora ml Philadelphia, Ps., Oct. S. 1U4.
PLACED HIS COMRADE'S LIFE
ABOVE HIS OWN
AN INCIDENT during the battle of Antietam made
a hero of Corporal Igoatz Oresser of the One
hundred and twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry
and saved the life of a brave Union soldier from
an almost certain death. In the heat of the
struggle, when the telling fire of both armies
brought havoc to Union and Confederate ranks,
Gresser saw one of his comrades drop to the
ground, struck by the enemy's bullet. To leave
him where he had fallen, meant death, almost
inevitable; but to get at his side and carry him off, was equally as dan-
gerous. Gresser placed the life of his wounded comrade above his own and
undertook the perilous task. He succeeded in carrying on his strong arms the
wounded man to the rear, miraculously escaping the deadly hail of balls and
bullets. Thus it was, that Corporal Gresser earned his medal.
IONA.TZ OBBSSBB,
Corponl.Co. D. 138Ih Fn. lattatTj.
ATTEMPTED TO SPIKE
AN ABANDONED GUN
WHEN the Union troops fell back across the Potomac, at Shepherdstown Ford,
Va., on the 20th of September, 1862, they had to leave a number of fieldpieces
to the advancing Confederates. The enemy, however, gained nothing by their
capture, as almost every gun had been spiked. As the Second U. S. Infantry
was retiring an officer of the regiment presently remembered that one large
gun had been overlooked and left uuspiked.
"Who is willing to go and spike that gun?" he inquired.
First Sergeant Daniel W. Burke of Company B, at once offered his services.
The fire from the enemy was severe, but nothing daunted, he started out on
his perilous task and boldly attempted to unfit this gun for further service.
After repeated attempts to fulfill his mission, he saw that the task was impos-
sible of accomplishment, and reluctantly returned to his own lines, which he
reached in safety. He was thereupon complimented by his superior officers for
his display of coolness and courage.
■a:m low VXD
g:xt them H--1-
vij>:-i v-ui. i..r ;ii ' riTi.?^»«£ ri_ unuisi:^.
■»-hi;'i ■ 'S" 1 i:. t^i u'£ v:iuiiH*L
71H iv". ^■!iS I ■' i:i.-< u .- rCf-Ti
i> '».-.•; ,r~'i :»i ■ v-;.i ■; T-it i> rifr i;:-
-.:— -it-^r 'Twrsi
i»;i' \*.ir -tt: •»."■■■
-l;- ^ - ■!:_>- r-^=. **ein£: sin
"For example, one aergeant said:
" ' By God, I gueaa we're going to let them gobble the whole damned shooting
match before we strike a lick, if we don't mind and quickly too.'
"A corporal replied: 'I gueas we are obeying orders.'
'"Damn the orders! To wait for orders in a time like this!' the sergeant re-
torted,
" This dialogue struck a responsive chord in my mind, and was, perhaps, the
last straw that moved me to take a chance and shoulder the responsibility. I
OUR BATTERY POURED A DEADLY FIRE UPON THE ENEMY"
gave the order: ' With canister, load, aim low, and give them hell as fast as
you can!' And so the fight was on.
"Before the end it became evident that the position of the guns of this bat-
tery had become so much the bone of contention in that fight, that everything
else, both fiags, the Union and the Confederacy, and even the 'damned ntgger'
were forgotten in that all-absorbing, handspike and ramrod, rough-and-tumble,
devil-take-the-hindmost fight for those sis guns.
" I was wounded, and after the battle was ordered home to Ohio for repairs."
In recalling the fight, Lieutenant Cyrus Sears quotes the following from the
report of General Rosecrans:
" The enemy's line of infantry now moved forward on the battery, coming
up from the woods on our right on the Fifth Iowa, while a brigade showed it-
self on our left and attempted to cross the road toward Colonel Puiczel. The
battle became furious. Our battery poured a deadly fire upon the enemy's col-
umn advancing up the road, while musketry coDceotrated upon it soon killed or
wounded most of the horses. When within one hundred yards tiiey received a
volley from our entire line. The enemy penetrated the battery, were repulsed;
again returned, were again repulsed, and finally bore down upon it with a. col-
umn of three regiments, this time carrying the battery.
"Many of the cannoneers were 'knocked out' with ramrods and handspikes
in the hands of the hatterymen. Sands' Eleventh Ohio Battery, under Lieuten-
ant Seai-s, V/&S served with unequaled bravery nnder circumstances of danger
and exposure sucii as rarely, perhaps never, have fallen to the lot of a single
battery during the war."
SPLENDID HEROISM
OF A PRIVATE
IT SEEMS strange and paradoxical even that war
with the horrors of the battlefield should serve
to bring out the highest virtues and noblest im-
pulses of mankind. The same cannon ball that
carries death and injury, that destroys many a hope-
ful life, arouses at the same time along its swift
and fatal course an increased feeling of patriotism,
awakens bravery and incites men to the most bril-
liant deeds of heroism. Amidst the roar of guus
and the hail of bullets sentiments of the most ten-
der kind are born. Love, friendship, and sacrifice
have found their most fervent manifestations on the
battlefield. The love and admiration that a soldier, a mere youth, bore toward
his commander form.s a highly touching incident of the war. The scene waa at
the battle of IVi-ryviile. Ky. October S, ISti'i. the heroes were Private W. G.
Surles and Colonel Anson U. McCook.
Colonel McCook. commanding the Second Ohio Infantry had attacked the
rebel iufautiT iinder (ieneral BragK- 'I'^e Confederates outnumbered the Union
forces iilinost tbn.>e to une, l)ut. with uotewui-thy :^kill ami linivery, the latter in-
Hiftt'd sovi'ie lo.s.sf.s un the enemy, and retresited in good nnier.
"Although (ieneral Hueli with a hivae Um:e was within sound of our guns"
Private Sillies says, "lie 'lid not come tu utir assistance and we were forced to
fall buck. During the retreat Colonel McCook':^ hoi-se was shot from under him.
wu. a. Bram,
PrIvBie. Cu<. G.adOhluIutUitry.
Burn al iSlPUlWDville. Ohio, Feb. M. Utt.
Arming himself with a musket taken from a dead soldier, he fought on foot and
by his own gallant example, cheered the drooping spirits of his men. The
ground we traversed waa thickly strewn with the dead and wounded of our own
army and presented a ghastly picture.
"We observed with horror that our pursuers, with the cruelty of barbarians,
were plunging their bayonets into the prostrate forms of many of our comrades.
Colonel McCook himself noticed one of the ghouls, just about to extinguish the
^tf^'l^
B'"'*^^
•'■' a^afl
xSjwpL.'^v'v^^MH
I^M
^^^'^k^ii
Fv^
Hl^jI
wmmtSm/Mm
HE SPRANG IN FRONT OF HIS COMMANDER
life of one of our boys with his bayonet. The colonel halted, fired his musket
and dropped the fellow, before he could accomplish his dastardly deed.
"The death of the rebel made the enemy still more furious. A Confederate
soldier, a veritable giant in appearance, presently sprang from behind a tree
close by and took deliberate aim at the colonel. I had observed this fellow's
movements and realized the great danger of my beloved commander. How I
wished I could with a well-directed shot, end this 'Johnny's' life. But like the
colonel himself I had just fired my musket and did not have time to intercept
the shot. My blood froze in my veins as I saw the rebel raise his gun and take
aim at: oar brave leader. Presently, on the spur of the moment and moved by
the love And admiTAtion I felt towapi oar commander I sprang drrei^tiy in ±T3nr
of Coi«-mei >lL'<,^?ok. ready to rei:eivp the ballet, which was to strike hinL
*• Hapuily the rebel zian: wil? a little to«) stjw Ln tirin:? or he5Jitai»i Xki maiip
sore or ai:> >faot : anvwav. before he calW the tri:r'er. he hini:^lf wa:* shot r/mrunz:!
the head and n.uled on the ^r.^ond t*) «iie within a few '?ei!oa«ii». Oub of ":i**
crack >h».'»ts of our ci.'^mpany had fnLStraced hi? pians.
•' All of this hapceaed. while -fb.^c and --heL: were iying aroand nis like iiuil.
and wirhii le5j«> rime :han it takes to :eLl it. I shoaLii not foraet to menrinn
the ^:*m*:\'JL^i*m -.^f the epLs.ide. for it ma*ie rue "iie happie^ft man in oar retcmenr
aad iia^ ever oeea <?ne oc the pnjJideijt mijcneati of my life.
•When '.Vi»?nei M'.Vook -^aw hii? w'.iui-be OirrraifsLn. fall, he took me m 'jji?
arm.> aaii 'v.-h tear? in hi^ »?yetf iLs-^ed me a.-? a nirher w^iiild hi;^ :»on.
" ^'V^ ±'^i" Private Surtei? ends hi*-? ^amriijQ " rairij id«:iizeii our ■•nmmiLatier
and Urn <iir^?. every i.^ne ia ^.mr re^im.en" ^';iilii iia^e williniriy -iai-Tidcefi hii? IL'e
ai> L wai^ wi.linfcc t;.^ do. 1 >uppoj?e. "he rj.«:r. -har ir tiie "ime [ waa a mere -loy.
weiy:a::j;^ e^ raan I'H) po^ln«i:^ and "f j-im* .>r ^!j?h inneuraiice. while ^he :T:?oei
wa& -jucQ a .u:!. ouriy maa. made tje ini.'idenr i "ride mi:re prioiinear. tiuui ir.
peruu^js. =;cherv:5?e wi.Miid have oeen."'
rrv/rirn >ur.H< -served winh hL** reir'iueat "hnjajihi'iit -jie T^ir. At tiie )arde
of ».'hi«:iianiau;ra :je ind m -j-ider or^rner 'ver? iizunair -iiin oy --ide. 3*irii 'verpt
iiviujj: a j?.»iid liccouuc of rheni2?eivMs lad la"::!:: 'aivi "ue enem" -rhtjr for -fiiiir.
when "lue Jider oorher -vaij -jtnck b^; a duller, :im1 ui»i iied '.)erVire ^liJiiim
couid zrifyy Ji.ji :a iii»s arms or "ud Jim l M>r :;ii.-«^>v*-il.
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:u ^me )i :ae )ioodie5ft )actie< ot "he vur
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'THREE CHEERS FOR
THE COLOR-BEARER 1
JOBK 3. HOLAK,
Color-Sergeant, SCb N. H. Vol. InfaDtqr.
">^nE brigade left Donaldsonville on the 26th of
V-/ October, 1862, under command of General God-
frey Weitzel," writes Sei^eant J. J. Nolan. " After a
march of about four or five miles our advance guard
had a running fight with the Confederates, which lasted
all day.
"Next morning General Weitzel, seeing a number
of Confederates on the right bank of the Bayou La-
fourche, decided to throw our regiment (the Eighth
New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry) across it and pick
all we could of them. After crossing the Bayou we advanced about two miles,
when we discovered quite a force of Confederate cavalry in front of us.
"Colonel Hawks Fearing, of the Eighth New Hampshire, formed the regiment
into a hollow square to resist the cavalry, which was in close pursuit. When
we came to an open field the colonel deployed the regiment from square to
line of battle. The Confederates formed in line on a road which ran along
the woods to the right of the Bayou.
"By this time General Weitzel discovered that, during the night, General
Hoaton had crossed with his whole brigade from the left to the right of the
Bayou, at the same time giving orders to make a pontoon of the boats that he
had towed up from Donaldsonville, in' order to get re-enforcements, to our as-
sistance. He then ordered our regiment to advance, which we did, and after
throwing down the last fence between the Confederates and ourselves, the
colonel ordered us to charge the enemy. After advancing about half way
through the field, the flag staff was shot in two in my hands. I picked up the
several pieces and advanced shouting: 'Come on and chase that battery!'
Tbe Lafonrcbe District, Lb.— During the latter part of October, 1S62, an ezpeditton wu ot>
ganized, which consisted of a brigade (five regimenta of infantry, two batteries of artillerj, and four
companies of cavalry) under command of Brigadier-Qeneral Godfrey Weitzel, and & fleet of gun-boats,
to move upon the western bank of the Mississippi through Western Louisiana, for the purpose of dispers-
ing the forces assembled there under General Mouton.
The expedition arrived at Donaldsonville, La., on the 25th of October, and entered it without op-
position. Thence the expedition proceeded to Bayou Lafourche, Thibodeauz, Berwick Bay, Boutte Sta-
tion, Bayou des Allemands, etc., all of which places were entered. Valuable stores, freight cars, guns,
and accoutrements, along with many prisoners were captured. The expedition proved a perfect success
and gave undisputed possession of the Lafourche District to the Union Troops.
"FLAUNTED THE STARS AND STRIPES"
"Our hard
fight was
rewarded
with suc-
We
took about
200 pris-
oners, one
piece of ar-
tillery, and
routed the
wliolc CoDfederate
brigade.
"After the battle
the colonel formed line, took the colors out of my hands, and called tor three
cheers for the color-bearer, and General Weitzel rode up and thanked me in
the presence of the regiment."
Colonel 0. W. Lull under date of November 16, 1862, furnishes a few more
details of the incident, which Sergeant Nolan, who relates the above story, omits.
The colonel writes : " Young Nolan was as fine and brave an Irish lad as ever
shouldered a gun in the Union Army. At the fight at Ueorgia Landing he was
the color-bearer and moved up and looked straight into the muzzles of the enemy's
artillery, as steady and cool as Marshall Ney ever faced a battery. When his
colors, struck by a cannon shot, fell forward on the ground, our young friend
threw himself jn-osti-ato on his face and gatliered the colors in his outstretched
arms. Two or three of his own company also sprang for the flag, but young
Nolan held on to his treasure, and with a 'No you don't' arose, moved on and
flaunted the Stars and Stripes where grape and canister fell as thick as hail
stones in a northern storm."
LED A GALLANT CHARGE
JOHN C. BLACK,
I, Miss.. Jan. 27. 1880.
THB Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
John C. Black, participated in the hattle
of Prairie Grove, Ark., on the 7th of De-
cemher, 1862. Its position was on the
extreme right, supporting Captain Mur-
phy's Battery (P. First Missouri Light
Artillery). After some manoeuvring the
regiment came to a halt, the men were
ordered to lie down and being exhausted
from marching sixty-six miles in thirty-
six hours, most of them fell asleep almost
immediately. Piring, however, by the
artillery on both sides, commenced with-
in five minutes after the halt was made
and was kept np for an hour.
The action from this point on is best told in Colonel Black's own words:
"At the end of an hour we were ordered to advance into the open field. A cheer
was given and we moved out a short distance, and remained stationary for some
fifteen minutes, when I was ordered by Colonel Huston, commanding the Second
Division, to advance the regiment down the slope to the support of the batteries
of the Third Division. Scarcely had this position been reached, before Colonel
Huston again ordered our advance against the hill, on which the center of the
enemy was posted in unknown strength, and from which two regiments had
first been driven with heavy loss. Throwing out Company A on the right and
Company I on the right and left, as skirmishers, I ordered a charge up the hill.
It was executed in fine style, the men advancing steadily and swiftly up to the
edge The firing of the skirmishers in front announced the enemy close at
hand. Clearing the edge, we stood face to face with them, their numbers over-
whelming, one column moving by left-oblique upon our left and the right of
the Twenty-sixth Indiana, another moving directly upon our right. They moved
in column en 7»asse, with guns at a ready. The firing began first upon the left
and in a few minutes was general along the line. But, pressed by overwhelm-
ing numbers, the right of the Twenty-sixth gave way after most gallantly con-
testing the ground. My skirmishers about the same time reported the enemy's
artillery posted oiTour right. Thus overwhelmed, the only hope from annihila-
tion was the bayonet or retreat. The bayonet could not be used; directly in
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THE SINKING CREEK VALLEY RAID
WHJJAM H. FOWXIX,
Major. 3d Vr. Vs. Ovalnr.
Highest TBDkkttiilned : Brevet HB]-0eD.,U3.V.
Barn In South WsleB.U. B.,Ub; 10. IW.
"/~\vs. regiment, the Second West Virginia Cav-
V-/ airy," relates Major William H. Powell,
"having as we supposed completed its campaign
of 1862, waa enjoying winter quarters at Camp
Piatt, in Kovember 1863, on the bank of the
Kanawha River, about twelve miles above Charles-
ton, S. C, when, to the surprise and gratification
of the boys, they were ordered into the saddle
and en route for Cold Knob Mountain, at which
point the command was to be re-enforced by the
Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel P. H.
Lane commanding. From this point we moved
against the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry, then in
winter quarters, recruiting, occupying two separate
camps, one in the Sinking Creek Valley, the other
Bome two miles west near Williamsbui^, both in Greenbriar County, twelve
miles west of Lewisburg.
"Leaving the Kanawha River Valley route at Connelton, to avoid suspicion
as to the objective point of operation, the column proceeded via the old road to
Lewisburg, passing through Summerville, where the command arrived the same
evening, having traveled sixty miles that day over rough mountain roads.
"Next morning we. pushed forward as rapidly as possible through a blinding
snowstorm, the snow being a foot deep on the ground. About noon, while ac-
companying the advance guard, composed of a lieutenant and eight men, I en-,
countered a squad of rebel scouts consisting also of a lieutenant and eight men.
We took them evidently by surprise, and, at the first sight of us, disregarding
my polite invitation to halt, they ran into a log cabin but a short distance away
from the roadside. Observing that the lieutenant had made his escape into the
woods beyond the cabin, I pasbed on after him, ordering my lieutenant and
guard to surround the cabin. I captured him about a mile away. I have often
wondered since, why the fellow did not take a position behind a tree, and, with
good aim, stop my advance upon him, especially when he became convinced
that I was pursuing him with a determined purpose to run him down. On re-
turning to the cabin I learned that Lieutenant Davidson had captured the entire
rebel squad, which result proved a very important factor in the final mission of
the raid, as no one escaped to report the movement of the command.
"Resuming the march we pressed forward through snow nearly two feet deep,
arriving at noon of the 26th on the summit of Cold Knob Mountain, where
we found Colonel Lane awaiting ns.
— 104 —
"After a conference between Colonels Paxton and Lane, the latter decided
that the condition of his regiment, caused by exposure to the terrible storm and
deep snow of the past twenty-four hours, rendered the continuance of the march
utterly impracticable, and comi)elled him, in justice to his men and officers, to
return to their winter quarters at Summerville.
"Influenced by the action of Colonel Lane, Colonel Paxton submitted to the
officers of the regiment the question of returning to camp with Colonel Lane
and the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This proposition met with my de-
cided and unqualified opposition. When General Crook delivered the order to
make the raid upon the enemy in the Sinking Creek Valley, — knowing^ Paxton'a
failings, and being disposed to throw the mantle of charity over them and allow
him to accompany the expedition rather than detain him in camp, — he had con-
fidentially charged me not to return to camp without good results. Influenced
by these instructions and the fact that the men in the ranks and many of the
company commanders were in full accord with my views favoring a forward
movement, 1 said to the colonel that I would call for volunteers to accompany
me in the advance movement upon the enemy's camp. This announcement,
fully understood by Colonel Paxton, induced him to change his mind. He gave
me orders, as the major of the regiment, to make a detail and move down the
mountains as the advance guard.
'" I ordered Lieutenant Jeremiah Davidson and twenty men of Company G, to
accompany me, and immediately moved out in advance of the regiment. Pro-
ceeding about a mile, I met four rebel scouts at a sharp turn of the road. I
in.stantly commanded a halt, and seeing that they preferred attempting their
escape to a surrender, fired and charged upon them, wounding one and capturing
another. The remaining two made good their escape.
"From our prisoners I hastily obtained valuable information as to the strength,
location, and relative position of the two camps. The two scouts who had es-
caped, having seen but a part of our advance guard, concluded, as we afterwards
learned, that as we did not press them closely down the mountain, we were
nothing more or less than a squad of Union Home Guards living in the neigh-
borhood.
**0n nearing the foot of the mountain we discovered the two escaped scouts
in the distance in the valley, moving leisurely towards their camp, the smoke
of which was perceptible to me. I halted for a moment until they had passed
out of my view around a point in the turn of the valley. Seeing that the coast
was clear, and conscious that we had no time to waste, I pushed forward rapidly
to the point where the scouts had disappeared, reaching it with my Uttle hand
unobserved by the enemy.
'4 could plainly see that they were in a state of 'innocuous desuetude,' un-
apprised of our proximity, and therefore unprepared to welcome us. Apprecia-
ting the golden opportunity, I decided promptly to charge the camp. Announcing
the sitaation and my purpose to my heroic little command of Lieutenant
Davidson and his twenty men, they answered:
'"We will follow where you lead!'
"Having not a moment to lose, I wheeled my command into line, t&cing the
camp, and charged my handful of men on a full run of half a mile down the
Sinking Creek Valley, into the center of the enemy's camp, 500 strong. We
were each armed with a saber and a brace of Colt's 54 caliber navy revolvers,
giving us 220 shots, which we held in reserve to avoid alarming the other camp,
some two miles away, and to be used only in case of absolute necessity.
"It was soon made evident that the camp was surprised, and that the
enemy's firearms were unloaded. During the brief and very exciting hand-
to-hand encounter which ensued, some few of their number, in their confusion,
ran up to us grasping us by the legs, and claiming us as their prisoners. To
such daring and undignified assaults and claims we responded politely by tap-
ping them on the tops of their heads with our revolvers, which we held in oar
hands, felling several of the rudest of them to the ground and causing them to
loosen their grasp. After thus dealing with them for but a moment, I demanded
the surrender of the rebels' camp, offering the protection of their lives. These
terms Lieutenant-Colonel John A. Gibson promptly accepted, and surrendered
the command to me without reservation.
"Thus I captured the camp of the Fourteenth Regiment Vii^inia Cavalry, 500
strong, in the Sinking Creek Valley, Va., November 26, 1862, without the loss
of a life or the firing of a gun or revolver. Colonel Paxton did not reach the
camp until after the surrender, at which time the other portion of the rebel
regiment, in camp at Williamsbui^, came over to a point within respectful dis-
tance to look at us. The achievement of the Sinking Creek Valley raid by a
mere handful of men, at noonday, far into the heart of the enemy's country,
requiring a continuous forced march in the saddle of thirty-six hours, from the
Union lines to the enemy's camp, under the most unfavorable conditions of
weather and roads, is an example of what a few brave, loyal, and determined
men can accomplish."
VOLUNTEER INFANTRYMEN AT THE GUN
N EXAMPLE of dashing
which General Daniel E.
Sickles designates " a heroic
act," was furnished by Cor-
poral John G. Palmer and
Private Wallace A. Beckwith
of Company P, Twenty-first
Connecticut Infantry. The
story is interestingly told
by Corporal Palmer:
" At the time of Bum-
side's great battle of Fred-
ericksburg, I was a boy sev-
enteen years of age and a
member of Company F,
Twenty-first Connecticut
Infantry. "We were held in reserve in the streets of the city until the last
afternoon of the desperate fight. At 4:30 P.M. we received a hurry order to go
to the support of the Second Division. Away we went, glad to take an active
part, as we had been under fire more or less for two or three days. As soon as
we cleared the streets of the city, we were exposed to a perfect shower of bul-
lets and exploding shells from a general attack which was now taking place all
along the front. Amidst this terrible fire we formed and moved rapidly towards
the line of battle, our company marching for two or three blocks through the
JOmr O. FALMBB,
Frederlcksbnr;. — In December, 1862, General Bumside, superseding McClellan as commander-in-
chief at the Union Army, directed an attack against Fredericksburg, Va., on tlie southern bank ot the
Rappahannock. The town is situated on the steep slopes of one ot the three wooded terraces in the nar-
row valley. The battle took place on the second terrace, while on the third the enemy under Lee
had gathered a force of 90,000 men.
Bumside, stationed at Falmouth was occupied from December II to 13 in building bridges and
throwing across the river the two divisions of Franklin and Sumner. On the 13th, assaults were made
by these divisions, which were repulsed with great loss. Hooker, ordered across, had the same experi-
ence. The Union troops were gathered at Fredericksburg and withdrawn across the river.
Burnside's losses amount«d to 18,000 men. while the Confederate loss was not more than a third
of that number.
back yards of houses and dwellings. We had a most lively time pulling op and
scaling numerous fences to keep up with that part of the line which was meet-
ing with less obstructions. We advanced to the scene of operations until the right
of the regiment reached the railroad at the depot, the line extending to the left
THE BATTLE GREW MORE FIERCE"
through some brickkilns. A light battery of four pieces, situated on a low ridge
in front of the left of the regiment was shelling the enemy, whose fronts were
near, as fast as they could fire their guns.
"We were ordered to lie down, which we did in short order, and settled our
selves into the soft clay of the brickyard, which offered some degree of shelter
from the iron and lead which were flying so furiously around and dangerously
near our beads.
"After a time the fire slackened. Our assault had met with a bloody repulse.
Man<euvres were immediately ordered with a view of making one more grand
final charge and ending the battle.
" As the attack ceased and the firing bad become desultory I raised np on
my elbows ; the colors of the regiment brushed ray face. Pushing the flag sijside
-109—
I glanced up and down the line. Our regiment appeared like two rows of dead
men, every one except the colonel, with his head face down in the mud as low
as possible.
"Presently the captain of a battery came running towards our regiment and
hurriedly saluting the colonel, said : * For God's sake, colonel, give me six men,
quick, who know something about firing a gun. I haven't men enough left to
work my battery in the coming charge.'
"Our colonel faced the colors and repeated the call. Though I was the
youngest member of the company I had heard and seen enough for several days,
and especially during the .previous hour, to know the seriousness of the situation,
to realize the probable consequences of the act, and to compare the exposure on
the knoll with the safety of the shelter of the brickkilns.
"It took but a few moments for me to determine what to do. By the time
the colonel had pronounced the word ' men,' I stepped from the ranks, closely
followed by Comrade Beck with and four others. We had but a few moments to
look over the field and receive instructions from the sergfeant, when thiB captain,
reading the signals from the church belfry, gave the order to stand by the guns
ready for action.
• "The troops that were selected to make the final attack moved forward to
the charge.
"Suddenly the enemy opened with every gun and musket that could be
brought to bear. As we occupied the only rise of ground on our side and were
the only battery in action on our left, we found that several of the enemy's
batteries were paying us particular attention and that we had to take their con-
centrated fire. The battle grew more fierce.
" Twilight came on ; twilight passed to darkness. It was a grand and awe-
inspiring spectacle — one mighty and thundering roar.
"Around us rained a perfect shower of bullets, which completely riddled a
board fence in front of the knoll. They struck the guns and splintered the
spokes of the wheels. Shells exploded constantly over and around us and
knocked down several of my comrades. Many oflBcers and men were killed, and
a great number, including several in my own regiment, were wounded in our
immedig^te rear. We kept our little battery barking. Our commander said that
our shells were bursting squarely in the ranks of the enemy, but our army could
not accomplish the impossible. The heights were too strong with earthworks,
cannon, and men, and the assault ended the battle for the night.
"We lived through the entire attack uninjured. Sunday morning the captain
of the battery thanked us heartily for our services and told us to return to our
regiment. Our colonel said, as he received us: 'I am proud of my men.'
> 99
JOHN 0. B. ADAH8,
M Lieutenant, Co. I. mb Mawi. Intanlrj.
Born at Urovelind. Mus., Oct. C, 1841.
"IT SEEMED I GRASPED
FOR DEATH"
" T WON my medal at the charge upon Maiye's
i Heights," writes Lientenant John O. B.
Adams. "At that time I was second lienten-
ant of Company I, Nineteenth MassacbnaettB
Infantry. At Falmouth, Ya., where we were in
camp, the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sec-
ond Corps, received orders on the 11th of De-
cember, to march to the banks of the Rappsr
bannock, where we found an engineer company
endeavoring to lay a pontoon bridge across the
river. Our enemy, Barksdale's Hississippi Bri*
gade, in the rifle-pits and bouses of Fredeiicka-
burg on the opposite shore, had prevented onr
men from completing their work. After sev-
eral fruitless attempts to continue, the bridge was abandoned, and volnnteeis
were called for to cross in boats. My regiment and the Seventh Michigan re-
sponded to the call and undertook the task. History tells of the hard fight
we had, trying to take the position of the rebels. Many a brave life was lost
while crossing the river, and during the subsequent severe fight clearing the city.
"But these were only part of the hardships which we were to undergo at
this place. On the 13th we were ordered up with the rest of the army to charge
Marye's Heights, our regiment being on the extreme right. Shots from the bat-
teries ploughed through our ranks as we pressed forward through the streets
towards the euemy. Under a steep bank, not far from the rebel works, we took
position until the order was given to move forward. The terrible havoc which
took place after we had advanced over the embankment will surely stay in the
mind of every participant to his last day. As fast as the colors came in sight,
the color-bearer fell, and, in less than no time, eight were killed or wounded.
The color-sergeant fell and Lieutenant Edgar W, Newcomb grasped the national
flag. A moment later he, too, shared the fate of the sergeant. As he went
down, I snatched the colors. It seemed as if I grasped for death, expecting
every moment to be my last.
" Almost at the same instant the bearer of the state colors at my side was shot
and, directed by a sudden instinct, I also took possession of onr state emblem.
Realizing that it would be sure death, and probably the loss of both colors, if we
remained where I was, I rushed across the field to a fence at the left, my men
following. Here the regiment was reformed, we changed front, and, hy lying
close to the ground, had a good opportunity to respond effectively to the fire of
the rehel sharpshooters.
" The Nineteenth Massachusetts lost more than half of the men engaged and
was finally obliged to retreat across the river and return to camp at Falmouth."
(T SEEMED I GRASPED FOR DEATI
BOTH ARMS SHOT OFF
THB Twenty-first Massachusetts Infantry crossed the Rappahannock at Freder-
icksburg on the upper pontoon bridge December 12, and the next morning ad-
vanced on the enemy's works. The Second Brigade moved forward most gallantly
in double line of battle, across a plain swept by a destructive fire of the enemy.
Colonel W. S. Clark, of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, says in his report:
" When about sixty rods from the city, Color-Sergeant Collins of Company A,
was shot, and fell to the ground. Sergeant Thomas Flunkett of Company E,
seized the colors and carried them proudly forward to the farthest point reached
by our troops during the battle. When the regiment had commenced the de-
Iiver>' of its Are. about forty rods from the position of the rebel infantry, a shell
was thrown with fatal accuracy at the flag.
"Both arms of the brave Plunketfc were shot off and literally carried away,
and once more the colors, wet with the bearer's blood, were brought to the
ground. Color-Corporal Olney of Company H, immediately raised the flag and
defiantly bore it through the remainder of the day. Color-Corporal Barr of
Company C. who carried the state colors, was shot, and his post of honor and
danger quickly taken by Color-Corporal Wheeler of Company I. Color-Corporal
Miller was also wounded."
Plunkett survived his injuries and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
'l^f^-zX :
COLONEL COLLIS -PITCHED IN"
WITH HIS ZOUAVES
Is THE official report, upon which the Medal
of Honor was awarded to Colonel Charles
H, F. C'ollis, it is stated that at the battle of
Fredericksburg General John C. itobinson, who
commanded a brigade, was thrown off his hoise,
which was killed by a solid shot. Lying on
the ground the general called out to Colonel
Collis: "Pitch in, pitch in, colonel!"
Here is the story of how Colonel Collis exe-
cuted the oitler and "pitched in." He was com-
manding the One hundred and fourteenth Penn-
iiiRhest rank luimiiurt : Br.j»^n M^^^^^ svlvania Voluntecrs. called the Collis Zouaves,
and was attached to the First Brigade, First
Division. Third Corps, which n*as commanded by Creneral John C. Robinson.
The brigade was brought into action at the critical moment when the Penn-
sylvania reserves, commanded by Creneral George G. Meade, bad been repulsed
and were being driven back towards the Itappahannock River. The enemy's in-
fantry were pursuing the re-^erves. while the rebel batteries on the ridge were
keeping up a terriHc Kre of solid shot and shell. Randolph's and Livingston's
Batteries on the Union side w^ere doing their utmost to protect the retreating
Federal soldiers, but the enemy bad reached Randolph and were aboat to take
possession of his guns, when Robinson's Brigade, led by the CoUis Zouaves, came
up on the field at double-quick time, in column formation. General Robinson's
horse was disemboweled by a solid shot; his adjutant-general was severely
wounded, and his bugler killed, while they were all riding at the head of the
column. This caused a momentary check to the advance of the Zouaves, who
were now engaged in their first fight, though some of the officers, including
Colonel Collis, had seen previous service. It was a moment of supreme impor-
tance to the Union Army. If the enemy had secured Randolph's and Living-
ston's Batteries, and turned them upon the Union ranks, the left flank of the
COLONEL COLUS AT FREDERICKSBURG
Army of the Potomac would have been doubled up, and serious disaster would
have been imminent. Colonel Collis, though a young man, only twenty-four
years of age, quickly took in the situation, and seizing the colors of his regiment
from the color-sei^eant, galloped with them to the front, deploying his regiment
into line of battle at the same time, and attacking the advancing foe with the
bayonet. The charge of the Zouaves was not only brilliant, but picturesque, as
they were uniformed in scarlet and blue, their heads being decorated with the
rad fez and white turban of the French Zouaves d'Afrique.
They came into collision with the enemy in the midst of the gnna of Ban-
dolph'a Battery, but their advance was so impetuous as to be irresistible and the
enemy fell back in great confusion, leaving one entire regiment on the field,
which was captured by the Zouaves. Robinson's Brigade held the poeition thus
secured until the entire army retired two days later.
AT ANTIETAM AND
FREDERICKSBURG
"T-'OB distinguished bravery, coolness in
1 action, soldierly conduct and conspicu-
ous gallantry at the battles of Antietam and
Fredericksburg." This is the inscription on
Private John Johnson's medal. The gallant sol-
dier's narration follows:
"I enlisted in the Second Wisconsin Infantry,
but was on detached service in Captain GiMion'.s
Light Battery, B, Fourth V. S. Artillery.
"At the battle of Antietam the enemy cponed
fire at break of day, from a battery on a knoll,
about halfway between the turnpike and the east
wood. Shot and shell whistled over us but we
returned the fire and soon silenced the enemy's
guns. Lieutenant Stewart, who commanded the right section of Battery B was
ordered to take his section, to which I belonged, and proceed with Gibbon's
Brigade. He formed in front of Dr. Miller's barnyard on the right, west side of
the pike looking south on a little ridge, close to some buildings and within
thirty or forty yards of a fence separating the cornfield from the pasture ground.
The cornfield was full of the enemy's skirmishers and sharpshooters. It was
here that 'Stonewall' Jackson's troops made three desperate charges to capture
the batterj' at the point of the bayonet, and the last time came within a few
rods of our guns before we could stop them. The infantry of General Gibbon
and General Patrick's Brigade rallied to its support with equal resolution, the
result being as fierce and murderous a combat as ever surged about a six-gun
battery. Battery B was the very vortex of the fight. General John Gibbon
came up to one of the guns, straddled the trail, sighted the gun, and exclaimed:
'Give them hell, boys!'
JOHN jomraov.
■le Co. D. ad via. IntontiT.
I iD Norvsy, llanh IS. I8U.
"Stewart's section in this position had three men killed and eleven wounded
in a few moments. Among the wounded was Sei^ant Joe Herzog, who with
myself had hold of the handspike of the gun's trail and was trying to change
the position of the gun, when he was shot through the lower part of the ab-
domen. Knowing that the wound was fatal and being in great agony, poor Joe
deliberately drew his revolver and shot himself through the right temple. I
was a cannoneer during the whole time the section and battery were engaged.
We were firing double canister. During this time I filled different positions at
the piece, including gunner. The cannoneers had been killed and wounded so
rapidly that those remaining had to fill their places as best they could. By this
time the other four guns of the battery had come up and commenced firing.
This terrific contest resulted in the battery driving the enemy's infantry out
of their cover. Our casualties in this action were forty killed and wounded.
At my piece there were but two cannoneers left, myself and one other. As
near as I can remember, we fired from ten to fifteen rounds of canister,
brought to us by teamsters of the extra caissons, after the other cannoneers had
been killed or wounded. The battery limbered up and hauled off without the
loss of a single gun or caisson. Some of the guns had only two horses left, and
the battery went into action again on another part of the field during the day.
"Again, at the battle of Fredericksburg I was a cannoneer in the right section
(Stewart's), and filled the different positions at the gun, of cannoneers who had
been killed or wounded. While carrying two case shots to the gun, having cut
the fuse of one and made it ready to be inserted, I was wounded by a piece of
shell, which csirried away my right arm at the shoulder, with a portion of the
clavicle and scapula. So much of the shoulder was carried away that the cav-
ity of the body was exposed, and the tissue of the lungs made plainly visible.
It has been said by comrades who were at that gun as cannoneers that I in-
serted the shell into the gun after my arm was torn off, before I fell. This,
however, I do not remember.
"This same shell played havoc in the section, killing two men outright,
Bartly Fagen of the Second Wisconsin, and Patrick Hogan of the regulars, and
wounding several. It has been said by survivors of this engagement that the
same shell also tore William Hogarty's left arm off. (See page 77 for Hogarty's
story.) I served in the same section and at the same gun with him in this
battle.
"Naturally this was my last battle."
'I'D RATHER BE KILLED,
THAN CALLED A COWARD'
w
kt I>lll9burg, York Co.. Va,, Sept. 80. li
THiLE Co]onel Matthew S. Quay was id com-
mand of the One hundred and thirty-fourth
Pennsylvania Infantry he contracted typhoid fever
at Falmouth, Va., opposite Fredericksburg, in the
latter part of 1862. He was so broken down by the
disease that his friends urged him to resign his
commission and go home to recuperate. Colonel
Quay finally applied for his discharge. General
Tyler, handing him his papers, told him that he
regretted his departure, particularly at this time,
as they expected to go into action very soou. On
hearing this Colonel Quay refused to accept the papers, and declared hia intention
of waiting for the battle. General Tyler told him, that be would be foolish to
remain, in his brokeu state of health, and furthermore, that his discharge had
been signed and he was a private citizen. The general said that if he went
into the battle, he could surely not survive it, and all concurred in the advisa-
bility of his going home. Colonel Quay put these kindly suggestions aside with
an impatient gesture, and said: "I'll be in this battle, if I have to take a mus-
ket and fight as a private, for I would rather be killed in battle and be called
a fool, than go home and be called a coward."
General Tyler, seeing that further ai^ument would be useless, gave in, and
made him an aide on his staff, in which capacity he fought all day and well
into the night in the famous battle of Fredericksburg,
FOUGHT, WHEN HE SHOULD BE AT THE
HOSPITAL
CORPORAL Martin Schubert, Company E, Twenty-Sixth New York Infantry,
writes: *'I received my first wound at Antietam, September 17, 1862, and
was sent to the Columbia College Hospital, Washington, D. C, for treatment.
While there I was given furlough to go home, but, instead of doing so I went
back to the regiment, and joined it at Brook Station, Va., December 10, 1862.
We crossed the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg on the night of the 12th,
and the battle opened about seven o'clock next morning.
"My old wound, not yet healed, still gave me considerable trouble. I went
into the battle with the regiment, however, against the protests of my colonel
and captain, who insisted that I should ase the furlough. I thought the G-ovem-
meat needed me on the battlefield rather than at borne.
"Within an hour I received another wound, this time in the left side. I atill
carry the bullet.
"General Bumside knowing of the fact that I had gone into the battle while
I had a furlough and should have been in the hospital, promised me then and
there a Medal of Honor, which I received in due time."
SEIZED THE COLORS
AND TOOK THE LEAD
COLOHEL Jacob G. Frick, with the One
hundred and twenty-ninth Pennsyl-
vania Infantry took a prominent part
in the fighting at Fredericksburg. Charge
after charge had been made on the stone
wall and other parts of the rebel works,
each attempt meeting with a bloody re-
pulse. In spite of these repeated failures
and futile efforts, it was deemed expe-
dient to try a further experiment, and
Tyler's Brigade of Humphrey's Division
was chosen for the purpose of carrying
the stone wall, behind which a heavy
force of the enemy was strongly en-
trenched. The brigade was formed ready
for the charge. Before the word was
given to advance, Generals Hooker, Butterfield, and Humphrey rode up to
" Colonel Frick, who occupied his proper position in the formation in the
rear of the Ninety-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, on the left of the line, and
expressed the desire that he should lead the charge with the One hundred and
twenty-ninth Infantry, informing him : " that he had a most difficult job be-
fore him."
In conformity with the desire of his superior officers, Colonel Frick moved
his regiment between the files of the Ninety-first, and, upon orders, led his com-
jAcoB a. raicK.
Colonel, intb P>. Vol. lufautrr.
m at Morthnmberland, Pa., Jan. 28, 1B3S.
— 118 —
mand boldly up to the very base of the stone wall, where the enemy poured
forth a merciless tire of musketry upon him, aided by the fire from numerous
batteries posted on Marye's Heights.
The charge was a signal failure. Flesh and blood could not stand the ter-
rible fire which met them from the stone wall enveloping the whole command
in a sheet of flame.
Colonel Frick's loss was 143 out of the 500 men of the One hundred and
twenty-ninth taken into action. He himself was hit by pieces of shell in the
thigh and right ear. A shell from the batteries concentrating their fire on the
charging column, struck a horse at his side and literally covered him with the flesh
and blood of the slaughtered animal. At the critical point of this charge the
color-bearer was shot down, but the colonel quickly seized the colors and took
the lead. Shortly afterward the flagstaff was shot off in his hands, close to his
head, and the flag fell drooping over his shoulders. But he steadily advanced,
leading his men through the terrible fire.
AT THE battle of Chancellors vilie, May 3, 1863, Colonel Prick, with the One
hundred and twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, on the right of the bri-
gade, occupied a conspicuous position, and was brought into action in the midst
of the heaviest fighting. French's Division was on his left, but the nature of the
ground was such that the colonel felt justified in occupying a more advanced
position. Having held this position against superior numbers, until many of
his men had fallen, and long after the troops that covered his right and left
had retired, he discovered that the enemy had already passed his right flank and
was gaining his rear. Then he retired in good order to the rear of the batteries,
which had gotten into position, while his steady musketry held the enemy in
check.
He had retired none too soon, for the enemy fell upon him, captured his col-
ors and a few prisoners, including his lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Prick quickly
rallied his men, and, in a hand-to-hand fight, recaptured comrades and colors and
brought to his rear as prisoners the very Confederates who had made the dash.
CAPTURED THREE HUNDRED REBELS
FIRST Lieutenant E. M. Woodward relates a most thrilling adventure, of which
perhaps, the most remarkable feature was his escape uninjured:
"At Fredericksburg the Pennsylvania Reserves held the left of our line, and
when we charged the rifle-pits, our brigade struck the left of Archer's and
passed up the Heights. I saw that the pit was still held by the enemy, and,
knowing the danger of leaving an armed foe in our rear, I succeeded in halting
some twenty men, and, with them attacked
the pit from high ground in the rear, hop-,
ing to hold the occnpanta in position until
assistance came. In about twenty minutes
the Seventh Eeserves advanced, halted some
three hundred yards in our front, and opened
fire, their balls passing over the enemy into
our men.
"Instantly realizing that we should be
wiped out if something were not done, I
sheathed my sword, and, with my hat in
hand, advanced between the lines to the
rifle-pits, stopped the fire of my own men
and that of the enemy, and demanded
and received the surrender of the Nine-
BornatPhtl«deLphls.PB.. March 11,1838. j. ,.1. n • - J. TU 1, 1 1
teenth Georgia regiment. The rebel color-
bearer attempted to escape up the heights with his flag, but I headed him off
and captured it. I gave it to Charles Uphorn, who was
soon afterwards wounded, and it fell into the hands
of the Seventh Reserves.
" By this time all but five men of my small party were
killed or wounded, and, seeing the impossibility of hold-
ing the prisoners with this handful, I crossed the
rifle-pits, and, with a Confederate on each side,
advanced towards the Seventh, waving my
hat and thereby stopping their destructive
fire. Returning to the rifle-pits, I got the
Johnnies out, and sent them with their arms
and accoutrements over to the Seventh.
They numbered over three hundred, and
were the only prisoners taken in this battle.
With the remainder of my men I advanced
up the Heights and joined the brigade, which
was soon after crushed out and driven over
the rifle-pits. During this fight thirteen
bullets pierced my clothing and hat, but I
felt that my own men could not Mil me
while I was saving their lives. It was this
conviction which gave me courage to step
between the flring lines and stop the
deadly fusilade,"
"STOPPING THEIR FIRE"
SAVED HIS
CAPTAIN'S BROTHER
"A^
' ^**^i
FRAKCIS H. aOODALL,
IBt Sergeant. Co. G. llCh N. H. Intknlrr.
Boni St Balh, N. H.. Jsnuftry 10. 1838.
THK battle of Fredericksburg, Va.,"
Sergeant F. H. Goodall writes, " both of
the lieutenants being sick, I was directed by
Captain George E. Pingree of Company G,
Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers to act
aa lieutenant during the engagement, and
told that the regiment had been ordered to
advance from Princess Charlotte Street, Fred-
ericksburg (in the lower part of town), to
attack the Confederates at 11:30 A. M. We
were the first regiment of our brigade to
make the advance, and it was our first real
battle.
" We marched out in the rear of the city,
under a very heavy fire of shot, shells, and
musketry, past some brickkilns, filed to the
right, crossed the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, and went .up on a little
crest or elevation, within twenty-five rods of the famous ' Stone Wall,' at the foot of
Marye's Heights, facing McLaw's and Cobb's Confederate troops under General
Longstreet, without any breastworks or protection, commenced firing and so con-
tinued until all of the ammunition we had was expended — sixty rounds' to each
man. Our regiment remained there for six long hours under a galling fire, and
lost nearly 200 men in killed and wounded. After the battle, there were 620
dead bodies by actual count picked up on the place immediately at and close
by the spot where the Eleventh New Hampshire fought.
"Early in the engagement, William L. Pingree, one of the sergeants of Com-
pany G, Eleventh New Hampshire Volunteers, and a brother of Captain George
E. Pingree of the same company and regiment, was very badly wounded in the
head, and Captain Pingree said to me: 'Orderly, if anything happens to me, will
you see that my brother Will gets off the field all right!' I replied: 'I will
do so.'
" Not long after that, a shell burst close by us, killed two men, and knocked
Captain Pingree over, so that we supposed for some little time that he would
not regain consciousness. But he revived, although still feeling dazed, and jurt
before dark he retired with his company and the regiment to the city, while I
remained to take his brother off the fteld as I had promised, and selected Ches-
ter Simons, another sergeant of our company, to assist me.
"So, when the firing had about ceased and we thought the battle was all
over for that day, we started to take the captain's brother off the field. But
we had gone only a very short distance before a wild yell broke out on our right
and immediately the firing began, faster and more furious than at any time
during the day, and we were right out in the open field back of the city, ex-
posed to the whole of it. It was the last desperate charge of General Meagher's
Irish Brigade, and the bullets flew like hail; but we managed to escape some-
how and finally got back to camp in the city with the regiment, and with the
captain's brother, who lived almost three years before he died from the effecta
of Ms terrible wound."
TRADED HIS INSTRUMENT
FOR A GUN
ONE of the many acts of daring and plack
that occurred during the battle of
Fredericksburg, is here described by Ser-
geant Philip Petty, the hero of the action :
"In August, 1862, I enlisted as a musi-
cian in the One hundred and thirty-sixth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, but not long aft-
er my enlistment, I exchanged places with
a private of Company A, and took his gun.
I was soon promoted to corporal and ser-
geant, and in the latter capacity was fre-
quently called upon by our captain to
temporarily fill higher positions.
"In December, 1862, we found ourselves
encamped near Bell Plain Landing, Va., and on the morning of the 13th we
crossed the river below Fredericksbui^, on our way to battle. While at a halt
near the bank of the river, we could plainly see the lines of battle to our right,
while in front and to our left, for a considerable distance, the ground was cov-
ered with tall grass. We were ordered forward and advanced slowly, when
suddenly, within a few rods from us, the enemy's line of battle rose from the
grass and fired a volley into our ranks. We retaliated, lay down, loaded, rose,
and fired, and continued this operation until we reached the railroad slowly
FBtLtP PETT7,
driving the rebels back. Comrades were falling all around me and, the color-
sergeant being wounded, the colonel at once called for some one to carry tlie
fallen colors. At tbe time the colonel made this request I was busy taking
charge of and marching to tbe rear the Confederates whom we had captured iu
the battle, and as no one else responded, I stepped up and told him I would
pick up the colors, and carried them iu the advance until we were repulsed by
a flank movement of the enemy and were ordered to retreat.
g
nK^B/f -'^^
v^^v*i
I PLANTED THE FLAGSTAFF IN THE GROUND"
"I had advanced a little beyond the railroad track with the colors when the
retreat was ordered, and, as I could not very well retreat with a gun and the
colors in my hands, I planted the flagstafF in the ground, and fired about thirty
rounds into the rebels, then broke my gun by striking it on the rails, and car-
ried the colors safely off the field. The colonel formed what was left of the
regiment in a hollow square, and when he told the boys what I had done, they
gave me three rousing cheers, after which the colonel promoted me to be color-
sergeant."
A CHARGE IN WATER
AND DARKNESS
MILTOH T. KUBBBL,
« A BOUT nine o'clock on December 29, 1862,"
r\ writes Captain Milton T. Riissel, "an
orderly came quietly along the line of sleeping
soldiers and in a low tone called my name, and
said that Colonel Streight wanted to see me.
I went a short distance with the orderly and
found the colonel and General Harker stand-
ing by their horses in consultation. They had
just returned from a reconnoissance. The col-
. onel said : ' Russel, take your Company A, move
quietly to the front until you come to the river
(which was about 200 yards in our immediate
front),, wade across, form your company on the south bank, and wait for further
orders,' He explained that General Wood, our division commander, was ordered
to cross and attack the enemy at that point at daylight the next morning, and
h^ wanted. to know more about the ford and find whether or not the enemy
were close down on the bank of the river. This move was necessary in order
to fully develop the enemy's position. It required but a moment to return to
my company and form it in line, as the men had rolled up in their blankets
without removing any of their clothing. It was cold and chilly, and all the men
were lying on their arms. Without further ceremony the company moved off.
As we left the regiment, the officers were busy, forming the men into line to
support us. We moved down and crossed the river, wading it with the water
Stone BiTor. — On the 30th of December, 1S62, the Confederate General Bragg had concentrated
his army of 62,000 two milee in front of Murfreeeboro, Tenn.
The poBition of the Union Army 48,000 strong, under the Reserves, was on the went bank of Stone
River. The line ranged north and south three or four miles, the left wing touching the river.
On the Slat Johnson's Union Division was furiously charged and swept away by the enemy's left
under Bragg, who followed up his advantage by driving oB Davis, and rushing upon the next division
under Sheridan, who retired after an hour's hard fighting, losing 1,630 of his men.
Rosecrans had massed his artillery on a knoll in the rear, which was assailed by four charges of
the enemy, who were repulsed with great loss.
Bragg then brought up Breckenridge with 7,000 fresh men, but bis attacks were also unsuccessful.
On the 1st of January nothing was done. On the 2d, Roaecrsns threw a force across the river,
and, with his artillery on the heights almost destroyed Breckenridge 's Division, which was ordered to
drive him from the river.
On the 8d Bragg withdrew. His loss was 14,700 men. On the Union side there was ■ loss of
11,608. More than » third of our artillery and ft Urge portion of our train were taken.
-124 —
in ^ome places up to our hips. Talk about cold water or a cold bath, it was so
cut! tbat our t^etL chattered!
"A* rhe C'.-nip;iuy was uearing the opposite shore a terrific roller was fired
fnmi I't'diii.i a rail feuce uot over forty step:* in our front. The enemr. h^ins
on liiiiii'T irr<-.i;ti.i ttiau we. tire-l too high, their bullets taking effect in the re?i-
o-wv.:. rhai: wa.* sraciditiir iu Itu.? where we left them on the opposite side of the
riv-t^r. riitTM Wifrv? h\it two ways out of the trap: one was to recross the river.
r,ii>» .^rt!r>r was :<> advance. There was ouly a second in which to decide which
ht'cii ■■■? "'.le 'iL>Lu-
22a Zii :aAt^ [:
ilash(»<l thnia^L
a:-' mmd that
riii'Lr x\ias weft
i»r';3ty, i.\ars
2:1 'tt tbe
•fr' : aziii ::: ]tss 13:2* iLkii it
;s r:::r::r*i iheir sxns. fiiftd
-^ r:iir:i. Trir, Et.t icaT>d with
: iTfir -WaT isd OCfiripailT A,
;i: h- :if:r Lefk. Before 1
i-Tf- MtrK V*' vtrds and the
r -:*i s ffc:'.:.re 1 ■•rocld hare
'.'. -un-:-! re- ali richt. TDcle
.: r-iTiTiLic erer liad the
LIKE
AN ANGEL AMONG
THE WOUNDED
SEV. JOHN H. iraiTEBEAD.
le Co., lod., March 0, 181S.
"/~\N THE night of December 30, 1862, my regi-
\-J ment, the Fifteenth Indiana, was ordered to
cross Stone River, at the ford. The command
was obeyed, but as we advanced up the hill on
the opposite side, we met the enemy in force, and,
countermarching, recrossed the river. Here we
bivouacked. Early the next morning our colonel
passed along the officers' lines and said : 'Get your
men up. Our pickets are falling back. The en-
emy is advancing.' In a second we were all astir,
and at the dawn of day the bloody battle of Stone
Elver commenced.
"Our position was between Stone River on
our left and the railroad and turnpike on our right, and directly in front of
Breckenridge's Corps. The firing from the Confederate batteries was terrible
and very destructive.
"Colonel G. A. Wood, who commanded our regiment, was ordered to hold our
position on the left, nearest to the river, at all hazards. Three times he charged
Jackson's Brigade and three times put the enemy to flight, capturing a greater
number of prisoners than there were men in our own command when we went
into battle. But this was accomplished only with a fearful loss of life. Of my
own regiment every alternate man was either killed or wounded. Though a
non-combatant, I was with my regiment during the entire battle, comforting the
dying, carrying off the wounded and caring for them.
"During the struggle Captain Templeton fell, fatally woundf^d. I carried him
to the rear and remained at his side, until he breathed his last. I copied his
last message and sent it to his friends at home. My own next-door neighbor in
Westville, Ind., Captain J. N. Forster, dropped mortally wounded into my arms,
the same ball killing two other brave soldiers.
"Colonel I. C. B. Surnan, of the Ninth Indiana, was shot twice, one ball sever-
ing the artery in the arm, the other penetrating the body and lodging between
two ribs, whence I pulled it out.
"One boot was filled with blood and he was bleeding his life away. I
dressed bis wounds and helped him on his horse and he rode back into the ra-
ging battle. John Long, a private, had one leg shot to pieces. He cut the dan-
gling limb off with his pocketknife and hobbled off using bis gun for a crutch,
□ntil I took him up and carried him to the rear. Calvin Zenner of Company
— ise—
G, received a fatal wound. I carried him back. A number of soldiers gathered
around the dying comrade and I offered a prayer for him. He talked to all of
us and then said: 'Now boys, let us all once more sing a song together.' And
he struck up the hymn, * 0
Sing to Me of Heaven.'
Then he said: 'Good-bye
boys, I am going home. 1
am mustered out.' And lie
closed his eyes and ceased
to breathe. After night-
fall, when both armies were
quiet along the front lines,
1 helped to bring the wound-
ed to the general hospital,
carrying those who could
not walk on my shoulder
to the ambulance."
Chaplain John M. White-
head who furnishes the fore-
going vivid pen picture from
the battlefield with all its
horrors, modestly omits
to mention that he
helloed many hundreds
of wounded soldiers,
brought comfort and
solace to a great
number of dying and
preached at many a
hero's grave. Col-
onel I. C. B. Suuian
says of him : " I was
severely wounded at
the battle of Stone
River. When Chap
lain Whitehead gave
me his assistance, he
was all besmeared
with the blood of
the wounded he had
cared for. He seemed
to be an angel among
the wounded, Yankees and Johnnies alike. He thought nothing of the danger
he was in, caring for the wounded, looking after the dead, directing and assist-
ing their burial. I came in contact with many chaplains during my long serv-
ice in the army and can truthfully state, that Rev. John M. Whitehead was the
most worthy one that ever came under my notice. In camp, on the march, and
on the field of battle, especially that of Stone River, his services were per-
formed admirably, and without the hope of reward or promotion."
BROUGHT IN HIS MAJOR — DEAD
PRIVATE JosBPH . R. Prbnticb writos : " It was at the
battle of Stone River that Major Carpenter was
killed. We had been ordered to advance on the en-
emy, so we formed up, and, marching at ease, we left
the wood which had sheltered us up to that time, and
started to cross a large, barren field. As soon as we
emei^ed from the cover of the wood, the enemy opened
a terrible fosilade on us, and several of our men were
killed. The Confederates had a small breastwork or
shelter on the other side of the clearing among some .»„.„ . ,»™.™
" •= JOSEPH R. PBBHTIOB.
cedar trees, about five hundred yards from the position Friy>te, co. e, mb u. s. intwnttj.
which we occupied. From this shelter they kept up a uec. b, lesa.
galling fire on our men. Our brigade was in the middle
of the line of attack, and very soon the rebels slackened their fire on our divi-
sion and concentrated all their energies upon the two wings of our line.
" It was evident that if the flanks were weakened, the enemy could very eas-
ily surround us almost completely and so have us wholly at their mercy. To
defeat this plan Major Carpenter ordered us to retreat in good order, and, after
we had about faced, he fell in behind, and proceeded to follow us iu the rear.
"No sooner did the enemy see us retreating, than they opened fire on us
again. I was in the front rank in the advance, now in the rear in the retreat,
and could plainly see the fl-wful destruction wrought upon our ranks by the
death-dealing work of the enemy. Suddenly, above the din and roar of battle, I
heard our major call out: 'Scatter and run, boys!' and was about to join the
rest in the rush to a place of safety, when I heard a horse bearing down on me
like mad. As I ran, I looked around, and saw that it was Major Carpenter's
horse dashing after us, frenzied by several slight bullet wounds. By yelling at
him I managed to turn him and head him along our lines. Then I rushed after
tho hoys to toll them of the fate of the major, but did not manage to see any
of thu (uiniiimudiiig oflicera anttl we had retreated about a quaji«r of a mile.
VIhmi I Kuiiiod [wrniisHion to return and look for him. Back I went "at the top
of my Hpood. and iw soon aa I entered the clearing the enemy's sharpshooters
Dtuiiiud u l>ri.sk liru on mo. Ktiil I was bound to find the major if possible, and.
"1 MANAGED TO TURN THE HORSE
kiu>wiiij: iibout whon? he fell, rushed to the spot. Bullets ploughed op little
fiiffs of dust at my feet and whistled around my head. A short spurt more and
I wsu< at thf I'lace. tltanciut: nnind 1 saw Liui lyiu^ faoe downward upon the
dust, and rushed to his assistam-e. tUtc. poor fellow, he was past need of human
assistauiv I Neverthetess, I picked him up and carried him to the rear, my eazs
tillod with the luoitrafui dirge of the bullets that threatened me at every step."
SAVED A BATTALION
THE regular brigade of the Army of the
Cumberland consisting of battalions from
the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Nineteenth, and two
of the Eighteenth regiments of infantry and
Battery H, Fifth Artillery, marched early on a
gray frosty morning, December 31, 1862, from
Stewart's Creek, where it had bivouacked dur-
ing the night, to the battlefield of Stone
River or Murfreesboro, Tenn., arriving
there at about eight o'clock. After having
been drawn up in column for possibly an
hour the brigade was ordered iuto the cedars
to the support of the right wing which was
obviously being forced back by the enemy. j
The two battalions of the Eighteenth ^°'" '" '^"•"^°^-
formed the left wing, the other three bat-
talion the right wing. The position of the battery was between the battal-
ion of the Sixteenth and the Second Battalion of the Eighteenth, the right and
left wings.
The infantry marched into the woods and after a march of about fifteen min-
ates on a wood road, the battalions of the Eighteenth regiment received orders
to halt — which order was executed.
After some ten minutes or more had elapsed Major Frederick Townsend, com-
manding the detachment of the Eighteenth Infantry consisting of his own, the
Second and the First Battalions, received orders to retui-n and support the battery
of the brigade. This order indicated that the battery was to the rear, — yet,
there was a possibility that it might have gone to the front on another road
and joined the right wing. In order to make sure that this was not the case,
Major Townsend sent an orderly to the rear to find the battery and Lieutenant
Frederick Fhisterer, his adjutant, volunteered to go to the front, find the remainder
of the brigade and ascertain whether or not the battery was with it. After a
gallop of about ten minutes along the wood road, which first lead directly toward
the approaching enemy and then turned to the right along his front, Lieutenant
Phisterer came up with the battalion of the Sixteenth Infantry under Major
Slemmer which was engaged with the enemy and under a heavy fire. From
the moment that he had come to the turn in the road he had been exposed to
musketry fire which increased in force as he came nearer the battalion of the
Sixteenth.
He reported to Major Slemmer, inquired if the major bad seen anything of
the battery, and received the information that Major Slemmer had not seen any-
thing of it and did not know its whereabouts.
This showed conclusively that the battery was not in advance as it was
thought possible to be. Lieutenant Phisterer informed Major Slemmer of the
orders received by Major Townsend. This was the first intimation Major Slem-
mer had received of any movement since he had struck the enemy, and as there
was no support on his left and any delay might cause the capture of bis bat-
talion, Major Slemmer decided to fall back.
Lieutenant Phisterer then returned by the road over which be had come un-
der a very uncomfortable fire, and rejoined his battalion, which he found mov-,
ing out of tlie woods into the open field, there to support the brigade battery
of whose whereabouts the orderly sent by Major Townsend had brought word.
Lieutenant Phisterer, in voluntarily going to the front and continuing his
search for the battery in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy until he found
the left battalion of the right wing of the brigade, imparting to its commanding
oflicer the situation and the orders received by the left wing of the brigade, un-
questionably saved that battalion at least and probaltly another battalion to its
right from annihilation or capture. The brigade had but barely formed in sup-
port of its battery in the new position of the latter, when the enemy came out
of the woods and made most determined and repeated efforts to take the bat-
tery, which efforts were, however, sturdily defeated by the latter, its regular sup-
ports, and additional troops fonned to the left and right of the brigade: the
determined assault showing that the strength of the enemy greatly exceeded the
few biindi-ed men of the right wing of the regular brigade engaging him but
half an hour before
BQDIKS S. BOWAAD.
»! S^riwant, Sth \t,. Irtin'.rj
'FOR GOD'S SAKE,
RUN!"— HE RAN
JASCARY 13. 1S63. a force of infantry, which in-
cluded the Eighth Vermont Infantry and four
small gun-boats, under General Godfrey Weitzel.
attacked an entrenched force of the enemy, sup-
ported by the Cotton, a very formidable ironclad
guu-boat. at a point ou the Bayou Teche, La. The
object of the exi»edition was the destruction of the
ironclad, as she was much more powerful than any
other of the fieet. and threatened the safety of the
camps at Brashear City.
On the morning of the
second day of the fight,
General Weitzel asked for
sixty volunteers from the
Eighth Vermont, to act
as sharpshooters. They
were to be carried on a
gun-boat as near as pos-
sible to the enemy's iron-
clad, and there landed, to
steal up near enough to
pick off the gunners. Cap-
tain H. F. Button of Com-
pany H, volunteered to lead tlie party
on this dangerous mission, and was at
once confronted with the necessity of
selecting his sixty men from more than
twice that number, who stepped to the
front at the call for volunteers. When
finally selected, the number included
First Sergeant S. E. Howard of Button's
Company.
The party was carried on the gun-boat
Biana, to the point where our three gun
boats were hotly engaged with the enemy,
where it was found that the Calhoun, the
lai^est of our boats, and the flagship, carry-
ing Commodore Buchanan, the commanding
officer of our fleet, had run hard aground on a
bar; that the enemy having foreseen this, had a force in the rifle-pits on the shore
near by, had killed Commodore Buchanan and many men on the Calhoun, driving
the survivors from the guns, and were getting boats to board and capture her.
At this critical moment Button arrived on the Biana, and was eagerly hailed by
the nearest boat and asked, if he could send a message to Colonel Thomas, com-
manding the Eighth Vermont, which in the meantime had crossed to the west
side of the Bayou, and was about 500 yards distant, entirely unaware of the
grave situation of our fleet.
Sergeant Howard volunteered to carry the message, and received this from
the naval officer : " Run, for God's sake, and tell Colonel Thomas that if he doesn't
take those rifle-pits in five minutes, the Calhoun is lost. She is hard aground,
Buchanan is killed, the men are driven from the guns and the enemy are pre-
paring to board her."
■ESCAPED UNHURT"
Discarding all equipments, Howard was put ashore from a small boat and ran
for bis life, drawing a heavy fire from the enemy the moment he mounted the
bank, but fortunately escaped unhurt, and delivered his message. The regiment
was already in line of battle, and a moment later was swooping down on the
doomed rifle-pits like a whirlwind.
The force in the pits was so busy trying to capture the Calhoun, that they
neglected to watch their flank and rear, and before they knew what had hap-
pened, as one of the Union men expressed it, " a regiment of Yankees jumped square
on top of them." The pits were taken in a moment, the Calhoun was saved,
and was soon afloat, roaring her defiance.
Sergeant Howard received his commission as second lieutenant, immediately,
and the medal which was awarded him later was accompanied by this flattering
notice from the authorities: "To Captain S, E. Howard, for most distinguished
gallantry at the battle of Bayou Teche, La., January 14, 1863."
FORT HUGER TAKEN BY BOLD AND ALMOST
RECKLESS BRAVERY
'>A
m-l
HAZARD STEVENS,
CaplaLn, snd A. A. «., V. S. Vols.
II ranti atlBlnnl: Bre TnltrlK'tim,. IT.
»orn Rt New|Hirt. R. t.. June S, I»43.
ON THE 19th of April, 1863, the en-
emy appeared in heavy force up-
on the Hue of the Nansemond River,
Va., planting batteries at a number
of points, threatening to force a pas-
sage, and compelling a few unarmored
gun-boats which assisted in the de-
fense, improvised from ferry-boats and
the like, to shift their position to avoid
destruction. Some five miles below the
town the river was narrowed by a
.salient point on the opposite, or the
enemy's side, known as Hill's Point.
Here was an old earthwork — Fort
Huger — erected by the Confederates
during the first year of the war. They
occupied this with a battery of five
gims, and all efforts to dislodge, or
silence them by the fire of the gun-
boats and artillery from the opposite
bank proved abortive. One gun-boat
was almost destroyed, being struck over a hundred times by shot and shell, and the
others were repulsed. Five small gun-boats above the fort were cut off from
escape by its fire, and their destruction became a question of only a few days,
or even hours.
Such was the state of affairs when General Getty, Captain Hazard Stevens,
"STRUGGLED ASHORE WAIST DEEP IN THE WATER"
and Lieutenant R. H. Lamson of the Navy, who commanded the gun-boats, rode
to that part of the line opposite Fort Huger to observe it more closely.
Captain Stevens and Lieutenant Lamson climbed a tree near by to obtain a
better view, but the more closely it was scanned, the more formidable and un-
approachable the fort appeared. Finally, Captain Stevens declared, that the
only way to silence the fort was to cross the river and take it. Lieutenant
Lamson responded, that he would furnish the boats, if General Getty would fur-
nish the troops, whereupon the gallant fellows hastened to lay the suggestion
before the general.
V
He adopted it at once. As rapidly as possible a detachment of 270 men was
embarked on one of the gun-boats, at a landing some two miles above the fort.
General Gtetty went aboard and accompanied the expedition in person. A can-
vas screen was drawn up all around the deck, effectually concealing the troops.
The boat steamed rapidly down the stream, followed by the other gun-boats,
all firing their guns and blowing their whistles. The enemy, obseiring the
leader, and sapposing that she was about to try to run past the battery, shotted
guns until she should come abreast, and within fifty yards of the fort as the
channel ran, all ready to blow her out of the water.
Just above the work, the vessel was run into the bank, bnt, glancing on a
pile, she struck some forty or fifty feet from the shore. At this juncture, Cap-
tain Stevens leaped off the deck of the vessel, calling upon the troops to follow
him, and struggled ashore, waist deep in mud and water. He was immediately
followed by the troops. They waded in, climbed the steep bank, made for the
fort, and stormed it on the run, though the enemy opened a hot fire of musketry,
and reversed and iired one of their guns on the attacking party.
The capture of five guns, nine officers, and one hundred and thirty men, the
rescue of five gun-boats, and the occupation of a point of vital importance, were
the results of this achievement, one of the most brilliant of the war, accomplished,
too, with a loss of only four killed and ten wounded.
'7 "^
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BTBOK E. PAT.
THE "D--D YANKS" DIDN'T BEG FOR MERCY.
At Nolensvillb, Tbnn., on the 15th of February, 1863, occurred an incident, in
** which a small body of Union men had an opportunity to call into play all their
energies and determination against a party of the enemy, more than seven times
their number. This little squad was composed of sixteen men, of which eight re-
ceived the Medal of Honor after the war. These eight are Joseph Burger, William
A. Clark, James Flannigan, Milton Hanna, Lovilo H. Holmes, Byron E. Pay, John
Vale and Samuel Wright, members of the Second Minnesota Infantry. Corporal
Milton Hanna, one of the members of this little squad, tells the. story of the exploit :
"On Sunday morning, February 15th, 1863, after inspection and before breaking
ranks, we were ordered to report at regimental headquarters. Here we found Co. C
of the Ninth Ohio, commanded by the second lieutenant, awaiting us, with First
Lieutenant H. R. Couse, of Co. C, of the Second Minnesota, who, being the ranking
officer, had command of both companies.
" We received orders to go to the front to forage for mules, and started with ten
teams. We marched south along the turnpike about three miles from camp, on a
cross-road known as Concord Church Road. Here a colored man informed us that
just over the hill, about a half mile away, near where the turnpike crossed over, the
Sixth Alabama Cavalry, 500 strong, had camped the night before. After satisfying
ooi^elres that this was true, we tamed to the left on tiie mad road, and went a mile
east to a farmhouse.
— 188 —
'' At this point Sergeant Holmes received orders from Lieutenant Cause, to take
fourteen men and four wagons, and go in a southwesterly direction to the foot of
a hill near where the turnpike crossed over, and where the enemy was supposed to
be, while he with the rest of the company should keep on east about three miles to
another farmhouse, to load the other six wagons. We could not understand why
we were separated, as there was more forage at either place than the ten wagons
could hold.
'' On reaching the farmhouse, located on a little hill, with a smaU creek some
eight or ten rods away, we came to a lane leading from the house, some 500 yards
in length, running east and west, at the head of which were some bams, cribs, etc.,
arranged in the form of a letter Y. The sergeant at once stationed sentinels at
different points to prevent surprise, and John Vale, who stood at the foot of the hill,
was soon hailed by a colored man coming on the run, and nearly out of breath,
yelling : * See 'em ! See 'em ! '
" The enemy were west of the turnpike, and had passed into the timber where
we were unable to see them. They aimed to cut us off from our camp and the other
foraging party. Sergeant Holmes ordered me to go to the cross-road and see what
they were doing, while he returned to the cribs to prepare for defense, I placed my-
self in a cedar thicket a few rods from where the enemy crossed over the turnpike,
and could hear them talk and laugh as the horses' hoofs pattered over the road.
" The captain of the rebel cavalry remarked that he would pick up the squad of
fourteen blue-coats and take them prisoners, as they would not offer fight, but throw
up their hands and beg for mercy. He would then send them with a small guard,
over the hill to' the reserve.
" I returned at once and reported, but the enemy had already arrived at the farm.
They filed into the field following the same course we had taken, spreading out and
making as large a showing as possible, giving us a chance to count them. They
numbered 125, all mounted.
'' Holmes saw they were coming to us first, and ordered us to get under cover as
best we could, and hold our fire until he shot first.
" * We can die ' ; said he, ' but we'll never surrender.'
" With these orders we took refuge in the buildings, I took shelter in the lower
part of the bam. Holmes with two men in the hay-mow, the others in cribs, hog
pens, and other out-buildings between the house and bam. When the enemy
reached the head of the lane, they put spurs to their horses, each trying to be first
to catch a live Yankee. On they came across the creek, yelling : * Surrender, you
damned Yanks ! ' Moments seemed hours as we sighted our rifles, and waited for
the signal gun,
" The advance was less than two rods from us, when three shots from the hay-
mow took down the leading horse, which fell on its rider, and held him down during
the fight, after which he was taken prisoner. Other shots quickly followed, killing
"WE WERE HOLDING OUR FIRE"
—140 —
eight horses and wounding several men. The others quickly dismonnted, and run-
ning back, took shelter l)ehind the fences. During their confusion we had time to
reload our gun», and as some loaded quicker than others, we kept up a continuous
fire until the enemy were driven away.
"When the tight had continued for some time, I noticed a man sitting on his
horse in a very dignified manner, who, we afterwards learned, was the captain in
charge of the command. He was out of my range, but I took careful aim and fired.
As he did not heod my salute, I gave him two more charges of powder and ball.
Tliose familiar with the old musket know what this meant at my end of the gun.
He had occiusion to dismount and lead his horse farther back. I yelled that I had to
do something on a('(*onnt of my shoulder. This, of course, was done in jest, and
the other ])oys]>egan yelling and asking why they didn't come and take the * damned
Yanks;' if they wanted us.
"The Confedenitos finally withdrew, and when the smoke had cleared away, we
found two dead rebels, several wounded, and ten dead horses. We took three
prisoners, and three hoi-ses who broke from their riders and came to us. Jim
Flanuigan was mounted on one of the captured hoi-ses and sent to camp, and Charles
Krause, on anotlier, was dispatx^hed to the remainder of the company, which was
nowhere to l>e seen at that time.
" We finished loading our wagons, and prepared to return to camp. Our loss was
Sergeant Holmes, Charles Liscomb and Sam Louden, slightly wounded ; one mule
killed and a wagon-tongue broken. We had three good horses to return to Uncle
Sam for the dead mule."
THREE HUNDRED YANKEES AGAINST FOUR
REGIMENTS.
ON THE advance to Chancellorsville in the latter part of April, 1868, part of the
Sixth New York Cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan
Me Vicar was detailed to the Twelfth Cori>s and led the right wing of the army,
crossing at Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock on the 29th and the Bapidan River
at Germania Fonl, reaching Chancellorsville in the afternoon of the 90th, when
orders were received fix>m General Slooum to go to Spottsylvania Court Hoose and
ascertain the force there. From prisonei-s taken on the advance Colonel McVicar
knew that a large body of Confederate cavalry was in front of us, but calling his
otficei-s tv^ him. repeated the orders to them, and the bugle sounded '^forward."
Passintr Iv a road throuirh the woods, thev halted where the crossroad led to
Spottsylvania Couit House. A scouting party was sent to that point and a guard
sent to the rear. The command dismounted and lay by the roadside, holdiiig their
horses' bridles and. exhausted by continuous work, rested. In a short tune the party
sent to the Court House returned and reported a
heavy force there, and just then the rear guard was
fired on and driven in. It was iken about dusk; the
men sprang to their feet, some mounting, others
leading their horses into an open field in front of
the road where they formed in line. A bugle
sounded for a parley, when word was sent for the
Sixth to surrender, as they were surrounded by
Fitz Hugh Lee's Brigade. Colonel McVicar's response
was : " Draw sabers and cut your way through to
our lines."
The bugle sounded the charge, all hesitated
for they knew the enemy were massed in the road
to meet them. The first squadron was commanded
by Captain W. L. Heermance. After a moment's
delay he said to his first lieutenant, George W.
Goler : "George, some one must make the start," and
gave the order : "By fours from the right, forward,
charge." They started with a yell, Heermance and
Goler leading the first set of fours; Colonel McVicar on the flank of the leading column.
As they came from the field into the road McVicar was shot and instantly killed.
Goler's horse was shot and the rider fell with him. Heermance was in the lead and
alone as they struck the enemy massed in the road, who poured a volley from their car-
bines on the advancing troops. For a moment he was without assistance, and while
engaged with one of the enemy on his right, another placed a pistol to his side on
the left and as he wheeled his horse to give a left cut, the man fired and the ball
T. L. HXEBMANOE,
CapUin, eth N. Y. Cavslr;
Blgbotrankatlaincd; I-ieiitensi
Bom In KJadcrbook, N. Y.. Feb
ChaneellersriDet Ta.— Aboat the middle of April, 1863, General Hooker had massed his troops, an
effective force of 130,000, in camp on the Bouth Bide of the Rappahannock, while General Lee with hiB 60,000
remained on the north side. On the 30th of April, Hooker marched his corps to th^e Wilderness, around
ChancellorsTille, where his army encamped, Lee's army being at Fredericksburg, ten miles away on the
same side of the river. Lee, however, knew nothing of Hooker's movement until noon of tiie 30th.
About noon on the 1st of May, Hooker's advance began, the march being by three different roads,—
Sickles' corps was held in reserve,— to Banks Ford, at which point Hooker ordered a return to Chancel-
lorsville.
On the 2d, Hooker prepared for a defensive battle. Lee sent "Stonewall" Jackson to the attack, he
driving Howard back to Hboker's center. General Pleasanton with his cavalry and General Sickles' corps
kept Lee back, by skirmishing with Jackson's rear guard.
After dark Hooker directed Sedgwick to march towards Chancellorsville, but he was already below
Fredericksburg, fighting to gain the road to Chancellorsville. In the vicinity of Banks Ford he waa
engaged on the 3d with Lee's main army where he fought until dark. He was still contesting his ground
on the 4th, when Hooker ordered him to retire across the river.
On the 3d, Lee's army closed in from left to right, assaulting the Union forces and directing their
artillery fire at the Chancellor House, Hooker's headquarters. It was at this time that Hooker waa
temporarily disabled. The Union troops peraistantly held their ground against the repeated aasaolta, and
after much hard fighting, Hooker ordered them to retire across the river, yielding the roads to Lee.
The Union loss was 12,146 and the Confederate, 12,468
passed through his arm into his stomach, and a blow on the head knocked him from
his horse. As he fell his men broke through to where be was and he called on them
"to go on, as he was done for," which they did, driving back the Fifth and Third
Virginia Cavalry, who came up as reinforcements. The Second Virginia, com-
manded by Colonel Thomas Munford, came in from Todd's Tavern, after the re-
mainder of the Sixth had reached the forks of the road leading to the Union Army
at Chancellorsville and took prisoners the wounded who had been left behind.
Colonel Munford told Captain Heermance that the three hundred men of the Sixth
had held Stuart's Division of cavalry, numbering four regiments, for six hours, pre-
venting him from joining General Lee and cutting off the Union Army line to the
Rapidan, and so materially changing Lee's plan of attack at Chancellorsville.
Colonel Heermance was taken to Richmond and Libby Prison, but was soon ex-
changed. He was in over sixty engagements, severely wounded three times, was
with Eilpatrick and Sheridan on their rides around Richmond, and with four com-
companies, after the fight at Yellow Tavern, charged down the Brooks Pike and
took his troopers inside the first line of works at Richmond, they being the first
Union troops to enter them.
Bugler Wells, who afterwards received the Medal of Honor for the capture of a
flag and its guard at Cedar Creek, was chief bugler and sounded the charge at
Mc Vicar's order, and was with him when he fell.
AN EXTENDED HAIR CUT.
/'^OEPOEAL Stephen O'Neill tells an amusing story
^^ in connection with the incident at Chancellors-
ville, which earned for him his Medal of Honor. He
says :
"Our regiment, the Seventh U. S. Infantry, of
which I was a corporal, on the night of April 30th,
camped on a highway near Chancellorsville, Va. The
enemy was in front of us ; we could hear the bands
playing. Our pickets were sent out at once and pio-
neers ordered to chop down all the trees, in order to
obstruct a possible attack from the enemy. By day- stefhsh o-iranx,
light we were all on the alert, waiting for the next ^"T"' '^'f' ^"' " ^ '°^'
^' ' O " "'^" Born Id St. John. P. Q.. Catuds,
command. I sat down to get my hair cut. The
barber was about half done when the assembly sounded, and we had to fall in.
Then came the order to 'double quick' to meet the enemy. Line of battle was
formed on a clearing off the road. We soon met the enemy and were but a short
time engaged, when the color-bearer who carried the national fla^ was mortally
wounded. I was close at his side when the poor fellow staggered and dropped.
Stepping up to where he lay, I quickly picked up the colors and bore them through-
out the battle, leading our men to victory. Our own loss in killed and wounded was
rather heavy. We were not allowed to maintain the position which we had gained
in the struggle, but were ordered to retreat to our original position which we had left
in the morning. We had just stacked our arms, the pickets had gone out again and
I had just sat down on the same stump to have my haircut finished, when with a
bang ! bang ! bang ! the rebels came down on us. We ran for our guns and com-
menced tiring. The enemy found, however, that there was too much climbing over
the trees which had been felled the night before and retired under our well directed
fire. We were ordered to another position of the line on the next morning. May
2nd, and held it all day, fighting, resting, playing poker, and eating at intervals.
At night we retreated to our old camp ground near Falmouth, a sorry and disap-
pointed lot of boys. Then I had the haircut completed."
SOLDIERS AS GOOD
SAMARITANS.
AT Chascellobsville, four mem-
ber of Company A, Sisty-sixth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Wallace W.
Cranston, Henry Heller, Thomas
Thompson, and Elisha B. Seaman,
accomplished a deed, which won the
admiration of their comrades, the
gratitude of the enemy, and a Medal
of Honor from the Government.
This story is told by Piivate Cran-
ston as follows : " At about nine
o'clock in the morning, the Twenty-
third North Ciirolina Infantry came
up the plank road, and marched by
platoons to within about seventy-five
yards of our works. A few charges
ofgr.ipo and canister from a Penn-
Bylvaiiia battery, stationed with our
division on the plank road, served to .itop their progress.
" In thoir retreat tliey left a Confederate soldier on the road. The poor fellow's
piteous ci'ii's for help attracted the attention of the commanding general, who was
WALLACE W. a&AinTOR.
ivate, Co. A. Mth Oblo Vol. Inholir.
Highest rank altsiDcd : Opiaia.
I Dur Wooditock. Ohio. No*. MUi. I8M.
paasing along the lines. He asked for volunteers to go out and bring him in. 'The
roads are full of rebels,' said he, ' but if you go boldly down unarmed, they will know
that yon are after a wounded man and will surely not be so inhuman as to fire on
you who are bringing relief to one of their own men.'
" With three of my companions, I volunteered for the service. We laid ofE our
accoutrements, and, with two army blankets for stretchers, marched to where the
man lay, in plain view of the enemy. We succeeded in bringing him back alive,
and took him to the Chancellor House, which was then being used as a field hospital.
"After we had disposed of our wounded rebel, we rejoined our regiment, and
very soon the battle opened in earnest all along the line. It continued for several
hours with the greatest fury until we were driven in disorder from the field.
" The Chancellor House took fire from the rebel shells during the engagement,
and burned to the ground, and I suppose this poor rebel soldier, with many of our
own wounded must have perished in the flames."
"THE OLD VERMONT BRIGADE."
GSNEBAL Lewis A. Gbakt describes the efficient service
of the brigade under his command in the battle of
Salem Heights or Banks Ford, Ya., as follows :
"When General Hooker crossed the Rappahannock, and
proceeded to Chancellorsville, he left the Sixth Corps, com-
manded by General Sedgwick, in front of Fredericksburg,
which caused a large force of the Confederate Army to re-
main upon the heights. My command was the Second
Brigade, Second Division of the Sixth Corps, consisting of six
regiments, and was known as the 'Old Vermont Brigade.'
"On the morning of May 3rd, having already crossed the
river. General Sedgwick carried the heights of Fredericks-
burg. The main part of the corps moved from the town and
carried Marye's Heights. My brigade was on the left of
Hazel run, outside of the town, and in front of the principal
heights. It moved to the attack in two columns, scaled
these heights, drove the enemy from their position, and captured several guns and
a number of prisoners. Later in the day, the brigade started for Chancellorsville,
following the division of General Brooks. On the heights near the Salem church,
General Brooks met a large force of the Confederate Army coming from Chancel-
lorsville, and became heavily engaged. The enemy were turning Brooks' left, when'
my brigade deployed on the left, and held the rebels in check. The position was
held during the night. In the momingit was found that a large Confederate force
LEWIS A. OBAHT.
lonel Sth Vnmotit Infant
"THE ENEMY WAS CHECKED."
had passed
around our left, *
and occupied the
ground between us and
Fredericksburg. A change
of position was necessary, and.
during the first part of the day,
the Confederate Array and the Sixth
Corps manoeuvred for position.
"A general and concerted attack was
made by the enemy late in the afternoon.
Long lines of lufautry emerged from the woodd
and bore directly down upon us, their batteries
successfully opening fire upon us.
" The position chosen for my brigade was one of advantage. Four of the regi-
ments occupied a swell of ground or crest, with an open field in front The extreme
right regiment occupied an advanced position in support of a battery; the ex-
treme left fronted a ravine and strip of woods and had its left thrown back. As
the enemy advanced the right regiment and the battery opened fire vigorously.
This volley and the firing from a strong skirmish line caused the enemy to oblique
to our left. This regiment, purauant to orders, abandoned its position when no
longer tenable, marched around the right and rear of the brigade and took petition
on the left. The Union forces in our front were met and scattered by the enemy,
and the main attack came directly uiwn my brigade. The attack was gallanb and
determined. The enemy evidently supposed our lines to be broken and came upon
ua with cheers. Our men hugged the crest reserving their fire unial the Confeder-
ates were within a few yards of our line. One volley was sufficient to check the
advance. The enemy was thrown into confusion, and a great number of them were
slaughtered. For a few minutes the fire from our line was rapid and continnous,
then the right of the line charged down upon the shattered and confused mass in
front of us and captured a large number of officers and men. At this part of the line
our victory was complete. While engaged in gathering in our prisoneiB, I received
imperatiye orders to withdraw my command, and place it farther to the rear and
left It seemed that the Confederate lines overlapped ours, and their right had
gained a position on our left flank, threatening to cut us off from the river. The
movement was urgent and necessarily prompt and rapid, and, in making it, we were
obliged to abandon most of our prisoners. Nevertheless we succeeded in taking
with us about tour hundred, including several officers of rank.
" Our new position, covering the retreat, was taken and held. Darkness came on,
and the Sixth Corps began recrossing the river on a pontoon bridge, constructed for
that purpose near Bank's Ford. The crossing occupied the greater part of the night.
During all this time, ray brigade held the front with its picket lines extending from
the river on our left, around to the river on our right. After all the rest of the
corps had crossed, those of my brigade, not on the picket line went over. Then the
picket line was gradually called in, and the greater part of it crossed in boats after
the southern end of the bridge had been cut loose and had floated down the river
around to the northern shore.
" It has been, I think, generally admitted, that, had not the Vermont Brigade
checked and broken the enemy's line, and steadfastly held the front that night, the
Sixth Corps would have found it difficult, if not impossible to cross the river. We
were attacked by a superior force, flnshed with apparent victory at Chaucellorsville,
which overlapped and flanked us and threatened our line of retreat.
" This was the first engagement in which I had command of the brigade, having
assumed command as the ranking colonel, only two and one-half months before."
SCOUTS' PERILOUS PLIGHT.
•T^HE Seventy-fourth New York Infantry, Fifth
* "Excelsior," distinguished itself at Williams-
burg, where it fought in an abatis of felled timber,
holding its position against the main force of the
enemy. Its conduct at Chancellorsville was
equally notable. A service performed by four of
its members at the latter battle is described by
Sergeant Gotlieb Luty, as follows :
"On the afternoon of May 3rd, when the Elev-
enth Corps was driven back, . General Hooker
ordered the Second Division, Third Corps, to take
its place. We advanced to the position about dark.
"While lying there we heard firing in front, and General Berry, supposing that
some of the Eleventh Corps were still in advance, asked Colonel Louisberry, of the
OOTUEB LUTT.
Seventy-fourth New York, if be had one or two men who would Tolonteer to find
out if anyone were there, and to observe the enemy's positiOQ. Four of Company A,
Felix Brannigan, Joseph Gion, Sergeant-Major Eugene P. Jacobson and myself
volunteered to go.
"We divided into two squads, Brannigan and I going together, the others taking
a different direction. We had advanced about fifty yards beyond the ontposts, and
were close to the plank road, when we heard horses coming down.
"We concluded to hide and await developments.
"A party of horsemen rode to within fifteen yards of us and we discovered hj
listening to their conversation that it was a body of rebels. Suddenly the firing
commenced from all sides at once. There was only one round, and just as the firing
ceased, we heard them say that ' the General ' was shot. The reconnoitering party
consisted of General Jackson and staff.
"After the Confederates withdrew, we got up, and concluded to go back to our
lines, but lost our way and got among the rebels. They were terribly excited about
General Jackson, and in the confusion we quietly withdrew.
"We reached our lines about three o'clock in the morning. Here we heard that
General Berry had followed us and been mortally wounded. Before his death he
requested, that if any of the scouts should get back, they should be rewajded for
their services.
EVEN THE ENEMY CHEERED.
"At Salem Heights (or Bank's Ford), Va., the
**^ Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, to
which I belonged, were forced back from an ad-
vanced position. We had to leave some of onr
wounded men between the lines. Among them
was Private Charles Smith, not only a comrade but
also a dear friend of mine. I stepped up to Captain
J, W. Beeraish, of my company: 'If you'll give
me permission, Captain,' I said, 'I'll try to save
Charlie.' Permission was granted. On a dead mn
and under heavy fire, I advanced 250 yards, reached
my friend, took him on my shoulders and brought
him safely within our lines. A number of rebel
soldiers, perhaps twenty, who witnessed the incident
from a position behind the fence, cheered as they obser\-ed me escape their fire with
my burden and gum the Hues of my regiment. Our owu men returned tiie cheer."
This is Corporal Peter McAdams' story. It furnishes a noble example of true
friendship and soldierly virtue which the Government itaelf felt bound to honor.
PBTEB UcADAHS.
BT. OUnt A. HDLBOLLAMD.
Major, llSth Penn. 1
f hPBt nak attained: Breve
)om at UsbOD, Ireland, April 1,
GALLANT SERVICE AT CHAN-
CELLORSVILLE.
r\oBiNG the battle of May 4th, 1863, at Chan-
'-^ cellorsville, the Confederates immediately
opposed to that part of the line of battle occu-
piedby the Second Corps, tried to bum the abatis and
log revetment behind which the Union forces were
fighting. A high wind was blowing at the time and the
danger was great. Repeatedly had General Hancock
ordered that the flames should be extinguished, and
each time an effort had been made to accomplish the de-
sired result, but the fire of the Confederate sharpshooters '"-"'"' "-''■''■ '"'!''"' '■ ^"^.."'^.:9^
was too deadly.
At last, in the afternoon, when the result of the day's work depended upon
putting out the fires. General Hancock asked Major St. Clair A. Mulholland, of the
One hundred and sixteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, to take command of the picket
line and to extinguish the flames. The work had to be done under heavy fire and in
full view of the enemy, but Major Mulholland formed squads of men quickly and
assigning each squad to a section of the burning abatis, made a series of attacks.
The enemy, seeming to comprehend the meaning of these efforts, at once redoubled
their firing apparently, because the volleys were concentrated upon each squad in
turn so that the brave Pennsylvania tugged and struggled in the midst and under a
perfect torrent of bullets. They succeeded, however, in beating down the flaming
logs and at last conquered the scorching enemy, completely disposing of the danger
from such a source. It was work quickly accomplished and with but very little
injury to the men engaged.
Later on, the same day. Major Mulholland scored another no less brilliant
achievement. In order to withdraw the Union Army successfully from the field of
Chancellorsville, it was thought necessary to sacrifice some officers and men. Gen-
eral Hancock requested Major Mulholland to remain in command of the picket line,
keep up a continuous fire and remain fighting all night if necessary, or until the Union
forces had fallen back and safely recrossed the river. The major willingly assented,
fully realizing that the execution of the task meant almost certain capture by the
enemy. Not only that, but he held the enemy in check on the picket line, until
seven o'clock on the morning of the 5th, when, the entire army being safe over the
Rappahannock, he was notified to abandon the line. In doing so he succeeded in
drawing hack nearly all of the pickets, getting them safely over the river. Major
Mulholland fortunately was not captured by the enemy, though he was among the
last to cross the stream.
THE COLONEL CARRIED THE STANDARD.
-^-
ALEXANDEB ShALEB WBS COloncl Of
the Sixty-fifth New York Volun-
teer Infantry, and in the spring of
1863, commanded the First Brigade.
Third Division, Sixth Corps, Army of
the Potomac. While General Hooker
was engaging the enemy at Chancel-
lorsville, the Sixth Corps was on the
Kappahannock River helow Fredericks-
burg. On the night of May 2nd, \mder
orders from Hooker to move out on the
plank road leading from Fredericksburg
to Chancellorsville, and attack Lee's
rear, the Sixth Corps entered Freder-
icksburg, but was unable to advance
farther in the darkness and fog, on
account of the formidable, defensive
works of the enemy on Marye's Heights
back of Fredericksburg, through which
the -plank road passed.
At nine o'clock on the morning of
May 3rd, the Corps was formed for an
assault. Ou the right were two columns,
ordered to charge ovor the two roads leading up to Marye's Heights. All the troops
to the loft of those cohnnu.s were in deployed lines. The enemy's batteries com-
pletely oiitiliuled the two road-ways which lod from the city, over an open plain
about a (juarter of a mile wide, up the heights. The column on the extreme right
was roiiipnsod of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, Colonel George C. Spear,
and the Tliirty-fii-st New York, Colonel Baker, supported by the Eighty-second
Pennsylvimia, Colonel Isasic Biissett, and the Sixty-seventh New York, Colonel
Nelson Cross. i)ll formed in the order named. Colonel Shaler waa ordered to
acconiininy tlio fwo Inst named rof^'inients which Itelonged to his brigade.
I'lion a tiivon sijrnal the troops advanced. As soon as the head of the right
column doliiiiiclii'd from the city, it received tlio tire from the enemy's infantry in
the ritli'-i'its at the base of the hill and from the batteries, one of which was placed
in the middle of the road, delivering a tennfic hail of grape and canister. This
momentarily checked the column's advance, but Colonel Si)ear, with great gallantry,
i-alliod and carried it to a small bridge altout half way across the open ground.
Here Colonel Spear fell at the head of his column, mortally wounded, and hia two
ALBXAHDEB SHALEB.
Colonel. BMh N. Y. Vol. Inf.
regiments were practically dissolved. The demoralization which ensued, greatly
imperiled ihe success of the movement at that point, as the surging column was
threatened with destruction from the severe fire of the infantry and artillery. The
Eighty-second Pennsylvania, next in the column, seemed unable to make any head-
way. Seeing this, Colonel Shaler caught up the standard of the regiment, rushed
forward, calling upon the two regiments of his brigade to follow him, forced the pas-
sage, advanced up the hill and captured two guns, one officer and a few men of the
COLONEL SHALER AT CHANCELLORSVILLE.
Washington Battery of artillery, of New Orleans, posted in a redoubt on the right
of the road. The other regiments of this brigade, soon after greeted him within the
enemy's works with cheers and congratulations. His men had not expected to again
see him alive.
Colonel Shaler's bravery was reported to President Lincoln the night of the same
day by Doctor Hosmer, the Herald correspondent with the Sixth Army Corps, who
witnessed the assault and started for Washington immediately thereafter to report
the success of the Sixth Corps in capturing all the enemy's works around Fred-
ericksburg. Colonel Shaler was promptly made a Brigadier-General of Volunteers,
and subsequently received the Congressional Medal of Honor for this act of bravery.
ON HORSEBACK DOWN A PRECIPITOUS BLUFF.
D"
CBABLBS X. CLABK.
iculcnant, Sth Maine lufantiy.
\UBiNa that memorable retreat across the
Rappahannock, Lieutenant Charles A.
Clark, of the Sixth Maine Infantry, accom-
plished a feat which saved his regiment from
capture or annihilation, at Brooks' Ford on the
night of Hay 4th, 1863, when the Sixth Maine
was ordered to protect a single pontoon.
" Genei-al Sedgwick was withdrawing his troops
across the Rappahannock," says Adjutant
Clark; "and our position was at the extreme
right, on a bluff. The spot was important. A
battery of artillery stationed on this Wuff
would command our pontoon bridge. We had
ordei's to hold the position as long aa poamble,
and then, if cut ofE from the remainder of the
corps, to make our way to iiie bridge if we
could. We all understood this to mean tiiat a
desperate enterprise vr&s confided to our hands,
and we were not mistaken. We were posted in a belt of timber which screened na
from the enemy. The corps was retired from its center, which in time left na
detached and upon the right flank without support. About 11 o'clock the enemy
moved between us and our picket line, the pickets on our left, towards the center,
having been withdrawn, and our pickets were captured without firing a shot. At
this time I was adjutant of the regiment. Hearing a confused noise, lienteiuuitr
Colonel Harris and I rode to the edge of the timber, and we discovered in the moon-
light the enemy fonning its lines and coming on to attack us. Riding back hastily,
the alignment of the regiment was somewhat changed to conform to the direction
from which this attack was about to be delivered. This was hardly done before the
enemy were upon us. There was a sharp tiglit of ten or fifteen minutes, and the
night was filled with wild outcries and uproar. The result was a complete repulse.
We held our position, but the extent of our force having been discovered, and it
being demonstrated that we were entirely cut ofE from the remainder of the corps,
our situation was more critical than ever. Riding again to the front to see what
was going on, I discovered that the open space in front of us was filled with
augmented forces whose lines were drawn around us, and that an immediate
renewal of hostilities was to be anticipated. Sewall, of Company A, just then
captured a Confederate ofticer who was attempting to reconnoiter our position. I
put him in chai-ge of Private Crockett, of Company A, and told Crockett to take
him over the bluff, down to the water's edge, and if he could do so, to make his way
to the pontoon bridge and turn his priaoner in to any force he might 6nd tiiere.
Crockett started away, but the officer persuaded him that it would be impossible to
descend the blufE, as it was too steep, but that to follow the edge of the bluff down
towards the pontoons was much easier. Taking this line of march, Crockett in
two or three minutes found himself in the Confederate lines which surrounded us
and cat us off from the bridge. The tables were turned. He was the prisoner, and
his prisoner was now the captor.
"WE WERE IN DEEP SHADOW AS WE PASSED."
"Meanwhile, a further examination showed the enemy in readiness to make an
immediate assault. Lieutenant-Colonel Harris in his efforts to ascertain the situ-
ation, and if possible to open communications with Colonel Bumhani, commanding
the Light Division, had been cut off from the regiment by the cordon which was drawn
around us. I tried to explain the situation to the senior captain, and to have him
take command and withdraw the regiment. He naturally hesitated, thinking the
responsibility very great, and that Colonel Harris might reappear at any moment.
There was no time to be lost. I rode along the line, cautioned the men to maintain
perfect silence and not to rattle their canteens or accontrements, then left-facing
the regiment I led them over the bluff. It was a sheer descent of fifty to sixty feet
I started over on horse-back. When part way down, my horse lost his footing, and
I foand myself falling with him through the air. I caught in the branches of a tree
as we descended, slid down the tree, and on foot made my way to the base of tiie
bluff, with the other men of the regiment. I expected to find a horse with a broken
neck, but old "Jim" stood there waiting for me, apparently a good deal dazed and
confused, but still ready for faithful service, although strained and sore for days
afterwards. The men came on over the bluff helter skelter, bnt as silent aa possible.
Directly over our heads, and a few rods down the river towards the bridge, was the
Confederate force into which Crockett had been marched by his wily prisoner, and
which was waiting to assault us and insure our capture. Fortunately, we were in
deep shadow as we passed under the bluff along the water's edge. When directly
under the enemy, who reached to the edge of the bluff above us, some of our men
became noisy. Just at this time the enemy again advanced upon our now aband-
oned position, and in the uproar whfch ensued we passed down the river undis-
covered, and made our way in perfect order to our pontoon bridge. On approaching
this, masses of troops were visible in the moonlight. Whether Confederate or Union
forces it was impossible to tell. Even if Union forces, they might open fire upon us,
taking us for the enemy, if we advanced without warning. Riding forward, it was
a great relief to find blue uniforms and the stars and stripes. Giving these forces
the caution that the Sixth Maine Infantry was coming in, we joined the rear of
the Sixth Corps, after it was supposed that every man of us was captured or disabled
in battle. When I found Colonel Bumham and told him that the old regiment had
come in all right, he cried like a child. We passed over the bridge with the rear
guard, and got across just in time, for as we went over the enemy .opened fire vrith
a battery from the bluffs above us. Not having the range accurately, the shelling
did little harm, and the Sixth Corps reached the left bank of the Rappahannock
intact."
"THAT'S THE LAST YOU'LL SEE OF SACRISTE."
L0UI8 J. SAOaiSTB,
n Delaware, Jane 1
"I WAS a second lieutenant commanding Co. D, One
* hundred and sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers,
Meagher's Irish Brigade, Hancock's First Division,
Second Corps," Lieutenant Louis J. Sacriste relates :
" At Chancellorsville, Saturday night, May 2nd, 1863,
our brigade deployed near Scotts Mills and when General
' Stonewall ' Jackson chained the Eleventh Corps under
Howard, we had orders to prevent a possible stampede,
but met with little success. Early the next morning
we received orders to move to the front. As we neared
the Chancellor House, and before we formed in line
of battle, the enemy's shells killed a number of the
brigade, because, for some reason, it countermarched
while under fire of the enemy's batteries. We then
formed in line of battle, my company being on the
extreme left of the brigade, at the edge of the clearing
around the Chancellor House. As we were forming, the Fifth Maine Battery
under Captain Le Peine took up position between our left and the Chancellor
House and opened fire at once with excellent effect, which, however, was only
temporary.
"General Stuart placed thirty cannon in position and opened upon us with
telling result. The man on my right was literally cut in two by a shell; the man
on my left, had both legs cut off; the man in my front had a piece of his sknll
carried away, and the ground was covered with the dead and wounded. Men and
horses of our battery were mowed down with such rapidity, that in less than an hour
every gun, with one exception, was silenced, and but two noble fellows. Corporal
Charles Lebrooke and Private John F. Chase, remained at their posts. Captain
LePeine was mortally wounded. After the officers were disabled, a lieutenant
of the regular army took command, but in a few minutes he too was fatally
wounded.
"So accurate was the enemy's fire, that one of their shells exploded as it struck
the mouth of one of our cannon, sending the pieces inside ; another shell exploded
one of the ammunition chests, the Chancellor House was set on fire, and smoke
and dust added to the confusion. The line appeared to melt away and the front to
pass out, while soldiers and riderless horses hurried down the road to the rear in
something like a panic.
"I was in command of the left company of my regiment and brigade, and, seeing
the enemy's infantry advancing, called on my comrades to follow me. I led tiiem
through the dust, smoke, and the fire of thirty cannon, into the face of Sinart's
meo, reached the battery, and brought oS the first gun in triumph from the field.
My example was followed by others of my regiment and brigade, and every gun and
caisson was saved. A few minutes later the enemy had possession of the field.
Of his .second exploit at Auburn, Va., which is included in the grounds of award
of the 5Iedal of Honor, Lieutenant Sacriste writes :
"On the night of the 13th of October, IS63, during a retrograde movement of the
army. I was ordered, with twenty-five picked men from my regiment (One hundred
and sixteenth Pennsylvania Vohmteers) to report to Colonel James A. Beaver,
commanding the picket line of the First Division, Second Corps. Early in the
momintr of the Uth. while the division and train were crossing Cedar Creek, Ewell's
Corps attacked our line with such determination that it was about 11 o'clock A. M.
before we forced the position, which we did )iy turning our flank and securing the
fonl and road over which our division and train had passed. By this movement the
entire line was cut off from the rest of the army, our troops being nearly surrounded,
and on the same side of the stream confronting Ewell's Corps. Colonel Beaver,
seeing the critical position and danger of capture or destruction of his entire
command, aud perceiving but one avenue of escape, requested me to proceed along
the line, which was heavily engaged and stubbornly contesting the ground, inform
the ofticers of the situation, and direct them aa to the route of march, which was to
fall back slowly on the same side of the creek with tlie enemy, cross the stream
south of the ford, and then march diagonally across the country to rejoin the
division. .\s we started to obey the order of Colonel Beaver, one of my men
remarked to another in my hearing. 'That's the last you'll see of Sacriste.'
Colonel lieaver's instructions were earned out to the letter. As we were falling
back, however. 1 discovered that one detail on the extreme right, commanded by
a lientenant of the One hundred and fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, had been
overlooked in my first instructions. A second time I went in, and succeeded in
saving tliis as well us tlie rest of the line, the command in the meantime being
hard pressed, aud closely engaged by cavalry, infantry, and artillery. Considering
all the circumstiinces, the escape of the line was remarkable, and onr action and
stubliorn courage made us the ideal of a rear guarJ."
THEY STOOD BY THEIR
GUNS.
O"
JOHN F. CHA8E.
Ptivflte, Sth Maine Bittery.
Bom In CheU«. Ualne, la 1S«8.
■^N Sdkdat morning, May 3rd," Private
John F. Chase narrates, " my battery,
the Fifth Maine, was ordered to take position
in an apple orchard between the Chancellor
House and the woods. The sight which
presented itself to our eyes as we came through
the woods to our designated position was
enough to make tJlie heart of the bravest man
falter. Limbs and twigs of trees were falling
struck by a storm of iron hail ; the very air
was laden with these flying missiles of death
and it seemed impossible to be in that hell of
shot and shell and survive. Into that position
of death and annihilation we were ordered, and obeyed. Our battery was ordered to
strip for action, a short prayer was offered and the command given : ' Moujit
battery, forward, gallop,' and as East as the horses could go, we galloped forward.
"The boys were singing: 'I am going home, to die no more,' and in less than
thirty minutes half of our number had gone 'home.' Even before we could get into
position our horses and men went down like grass before tho scythe. We had to
place our guns by hand, and open fire on the enemy's batteries, which were
masked on a wooded ridge about 200 yards in our front, and on several regiments of
Confederate infantry to the right and left. Our orders were : 'Fight your guns to
the death.* Our beloved Captain, George F. Leppien, had his leg shattered, the
other officers were soon killed or wounded, and within a short time only two guns
out of the six could be worked.
"General Hancock sent Lieutenant Kirby, of the First U. S. Battery, to take
chaise of us. He had just reached my gun, when a shell exploded, shattering his
hip and breaking his horse's leg. I shot the horse to keep him from tramping on
the wounded officer, whom I asked whether I should take him from the field.
Lieutenant Kirby answered : 'No, not as long as a gun can be fired.' He was lying
on the ground near the gun, bleeding from his wound, and liable to be hit again at
any moment.
"Only one gun going now, and that short handed ! I was number one cannoneer
— my duty was to sponge the gun and ram the cartridge home. Beside myself,
there was now left only Corporal Lebrooke. We could have gone to the rear and
carried honors with ua, but we had made up our minds to lie there on the battle
field with our dead comrades^ and fight the last gun to the death. We loaded
several times with canister, and fired at the column of infantry that was cbargmg
up to capture our guns. Oh ! how we hated to see the guns that we ha>d served
iJirough mauy a hard fought battle, go into the hands of the enemy. At last a rebel
shell struck our piece, exploding iu the muzzle, and battering it so that we could
not get another chjii-ge into it. I stepped to the rear of the gun, and reported
to Lieutenant Kirby that our last gun was disabled and only two of us left. I also
asked him if I could take him off the field. Ho replied: 'No, not until the guns
are taken off.' What a display of courage in that young ofBcer, lying there with
his life's blood slowly ebbing away and putting duty before life.
"At this moment the Ii*ish Urigade came charging in to our support. Corporal
Lebrooke and I held up the trail of our gun,
while the men of the One hundred and six-
teenth Tennsylvania, belonging to the Irish
Brigade, and led by Colonel St. Claire A.
Mulholland, hitched on with the prolong
rope and helped us draw it off the tield.
As soou as I saw that the guns were
safe, I returned to Lieutenant
Kirby, took him up in my
arms and carried him
to the rear, where I
put him into an ambu-
lance and staHed him
back across the river.
I was informed later
on that he died before
reaching Washington,
but before he left, he
took the names of my-
self and my comrade,
saying: 'If ever two
men have earned a
Medal of Honor, you
have, and you shall
have it."
Private Chase's
experieni'o at the bat-
tle of tiftty.*il)urg was
still more exciting and
resulted disastrouslv
"A SHELL EXPLODED NEAR ME."
for the heroic soldier, who at that hattle was made a cripple for life. "My battery,**
he says, "took position on the north aide of the Seminary bnildings on Seminary
Hill, where we fought from 10 o'clock until four on the first day's battle at Gettys-
burg, July 1st, losing nearly two-thirds of our corps, and being outnumbered five to
one. We were forced to fall back through the town of Gettysburg and take position
on a knoll between Cemetery and Culpa Hills, which position the battery held during
the second and third days' battles. It was the time of the historic charges of
Early's Division, led by the Louisiana ' Tigers,' on the Union batteries on East
Cemetery Hill. My battery was enfilading the charging column as it dashed up the
hill. Our shot, shrapnel, and canister was doing such terrible execution that the
Confederates opened three or four batteries on na, and made the shot rattle around
ua pretty lively.
"One of those shrapnel shells exploded near me and forty-eight pieces of it
entered my body. My right arm was shattered and my left eye was put out. I was
carried a short distance to the rear as dead, and knew nothing more until two days
after.
" When I regained consciousness, I was in a wagon with a lot of dead comrades
being carted to the trenches to be buried. 1 moaned and called the attention of the
driver, who came to my assistance, pulled me up from among the dead, and gave
me a drink of water. He said the first words I uttered, after he gave me the water,
were : ' Did we win the battle ? '
"Then I was taken to the First Army Corps Hospital. It was a farm owned by
Isaac Lightner, three miles from Gettysburg, on the Baltimore Turhpike. They laid
me down beside the bam, where I waited three more days before my wounda were
dressed. The surgeon let me lie there to 'finish dying," as they said, while they
attended to all the rest of the wounded. No one thought that I could live another
hour. I lay on the bam floor several days, and was then taken into the house,
where I stopped for a week. From there I was removed to Seminary Hospital.
"After about three weeks I was carried out of the hospital to die again, and was
told by the head surgeon that I could not live six hours, but I did not do him the
favor. I graduated with honors from that Seminary in about three months, and
was sent to West Philadelphia Hospital, where I remained until I was able to return
to my home in Augusta, Maine."
ON ERRANDS OF MERCy.
FOBBESTES L. TATLO&,
"T WAS detailed to tiie command of Company H,
' Twenty-third New Jersey Infantry, and led it
at Fredeiick8bui:g and Chancellorsville, Va., May
8rd and 4th, 1863," writes Major F. L. Taylor.
" After the retreat was ordered, as I was hurry-
ing down the road, I came to the prostrate form of
Second Lieutenant Wilson of my company, who
earnestly begged me to save him. Although it
looked like suicide, I could not refuse, and stood by
him making several unavailing efforts to obtain aid.
Finally three of my men who were hurrying by, re-
sponded. One of them spread his blanket on the
Bornat PMifldeiphta, Pa., ocu ao/iias. gTOundj we Hftcd the lleutenaut on it, and, each
taking a corner, started to the rear.
" A Union line of battle was formed a quarter of a mile to the rear, made up of
men of various regiments, who bade fair to hold their ground. Before we had
pursued our toilsome way over half the distance, the line broke under the fierce
rebel attack but reformed about 600 yards farther to the rear, and, facing the foe,
succeeded in checking his advance.
" As the line broke, I told the wounded lieutenant that our capture or death was
now a cei-tainty, and that my duty did not permit me to sacrifice four lives for the
bare chance of saving one, so I ordered the men to lower him to the road, took his
watch and pocket-book at his request, and left him. Perceiving, however, that the
line of battle again formed, I encouraged my men to make another effort to save him.
Without a murmur the brave fellows turned back between the fires of the contend-
ing forces. We reached Wilson in safety, and, though tired out with our exertion and
the heat, staggered on until arrested by shouts. We were so weary that we were not
looking Avbere we were going, but with dogged resolution were stru^ling on, intent
only on getting behind the line of the brave fellows who were so fiercely battling
against tlie rebel advance.. Looking up I found we were directly iu front of a couple
of brass field-pieces ready to fire. I hastlj' ordered my men to spring into the deep
gully on the right .side of the road, and a charge of gnipe went hurling over our
heads. It was a narrow escape, as the captain of the battery afterwards said, for he
could not have held liis fire a half minute longer. We scraml>led op out of the gully,
and, l)efore the guns were reloaded, passed in between them and sank exhausted on
the ground. After a vei-y short rest we again picked up our wounded officer and got
him back to the field hospital,
"On the way to the rear, I was hailed by one of my corporals, Joel Wainwright,
who implored me to save him. I told him that my hands were pretty full just then,
but that I would return for him if possible, and cautioned him not on any account, to
move from where he was. When I returned for him, it was growing dark, but I
had no trouble in finding him, and soon had him in the doctor's hands.
" Shortly after, I heard that my friend, First Lieutenant Charles Sibley, of Com-
pany A, had fallen, badly wounded, at a certain place. I went back to my men and
asked them to make a third trip, to rescue Sibley. They did not refuse, and, after
getting a pass to go outside the lines again, my brave fellows went on their errand
"THREE OF MV MEN RESPONDED."
of mercy. But their effort was in vain. Having reached the described spot and
calling his name witJiout response, the rebel pickets began to fire on us, and I
thought that discretion was the better part of valor. After covering a half dozen
poor fellows with blankets, and giving a dozen or more drinks from our canteens,
ordered a return, which was accomplished without injury.
" How we escaped with our lives, while saving Wilson, I cannot tell, unless the
rebels, seeing what we were doing, had not the heart to fire on us. The five of us in
a bunch were a tempting shot, but there is more good heart shown, even on the
battle field, than is generally believed, for the true soldier feels a comradeship even
with an enemy, whose conduct shows a spirit not less admirable than his own. As
an evidence of this, the cap and shoulder straps of Lieutenant Sibley were sent in to
us the next morning, under a fiag of truce with a message telling of his death and
soldier's burial."
STUCK TO HIS COLORS.
/'^OBPOBAL Edwabd Bbowne, Jb., waa reported for
^-' gallantry in action at Frederick8biu;g and
Salem Heights. In tilling his own experience, he
gives an interesting account of the moTements of
his regiment, the Sixty-second New York Infantry.
"On the morning of May 3rd, General Hooker
was at Chancellorsville and General Sedgwick, with
the Sixth Corps, crossed to the right bank of the
Rappahannock, about three miles below Freder-
icksburg, and took up his line of march toward that
''a* V- "V ^ "*\ "I '^^^^' '^^® advance, after considerable resistance
^^i^U-s:. >j . J*- -Itfft^i^^ on the part of the Confederates, entered the city
EDWABD BEOTNB, Jr. j*^* bofore daybreak and drove them out. My
Corp.. Co G. aand N, Y iiif. rBCollection is that the enemy found refuge behind
Boniinireiami. 1843. ' ' a stoue Wall at the base of the heights back of the
city. At daylight, six companies of the Sixty-
second were thrown in advance to uncover the enemy if behind the wall. I was
with the color-guard at the time
"We advanced in line of battle until we came within the rebel works, which
formed a circle at the foot of the hill, and uncovered them. Bat we reached the
spot through a murderous fire of small arms at point-blank range, opened upon our
front and flanks, and it seemed like going to sure destruction. Our men were
literally mowed down. Those of us who were not incapacitated, sought the cover of
the city as soon as we could. The color-bearer was injured in the engagement, but
my comrades and I brought him back with the colors.
"Upon our return to the city, the remaining companies of the regiment were
brought up and the regiment reformed. The colors were entrusted to me. About
noon we were in line of battle for the charge, which carried the stone wall and the
heights beyond. I was among the firet upon the wall witli the colors, and kept
them flying until we reached the top of the heights and the enemy were routed.
"In the afternoon we pressed for^vard, aft«r having reformed our columns, to
Salem Church or Heights, about four miles to the rear of Marye's Heights, where, in
a belt of woods, our advance became engaged with what we supposed to be the rear
guard of the enemy. We afterwards learned that it was a part of Lee's forces on
their return from Chancellorsville. The Sixty-second Regiment was in the second
line of battle, supporting a battery, with it.s right resting on the road from Freder-
icksburg. Generals Newton and Wheaton were close by, mounted.
"Suddenly our boys came in hiin-ied retreat from the woods, followed by the
enemy in good form. I was at that time in front of the line waving the colors.
1 REMAINED WITH THE COLORS."
when, on turning to the right, I i
a line of the enemy emerging from a belt
of woods in that direction, and called the
colonel's attention to it. At the same
time I was wounded in the side. The col-
onel noticed that I had been hit, and sug-
gested my retirement to the rear. But
the boys were coming across the open field
between the woods and our line, and I re-
mained with the colors open so that they might know they had something to rally
about, and to show the enemy that we were not in a panic. I remained at my post
until the boys had crossed the open and were within our lines, and the enemy had
been brought to a halt by our fire. Then the colonel, C. B. Hamilton, commanded
me to give up the colors and get to the hospital.
"I transferred the colors to a noble fellow, who afterwards fell under them; and
after the enemy's line was broken and they had retired to the woods whence they
came, late in the afternoon, I went to the field hospital. On the following day I
crossed to the left bank of the river, and from a safe position, in the stone bouse
which served as a hospital, I saw the battle.
"I returned to my regiment as soon as my wound was healed, and was with it in
all engagements up to the fight before Washington in '64. I was made sergeant,
and a commission was offered me, but I declined the latter through lack of appecia-
tion of ita worth. I was brevetted second and first lieutenant and captain in the
New York Volunteers."
"SHOOT HIMl-KILL HIMl"
WILLIAU a. TRAOT.
IJeut., 132Dd N. Y. tnfanliy.
AT the battle of ChancellorsriUe, Lieutenant
William G. Tracy. 122nd U. S. Inf., was
an aide-de-camp on the staff of MiBJa]>G6neral
Henry W. Sloeum.
" When the Eleventh Corp was ronted by the
attack of ' Stonewall ' Jackson," Lieutenant Tracy
narrates: "I was sent with an order to bring
back onr troopa across the plank road and stop
the rebel advance, then about two miles distant
Kiding forward, I struck the right brigade of
Slocum's command, then under hoavy fire, and,
informing the brigadier, commanding, of my
order, turned to the left and rear and plunged
into the thick woods of the wilderness to find
General Williams, commanding the division. In
my haste and excitement, I soon lost my bearings;
the firing in my vicinity ceased and I was completely lost.
" Riding hither and thither wherever I could see an opening, I finally came to a
partial clearing of about fifty acres, where the trees had been cut into cord wood
and piled up, leaving the stumps still standing. It was on the side of a hill, upon
the top of which a piece of artillery was in action. Although it seemed to me to be
pointed in a rather singular direction, I breasted the hill in good faith, stopped my
horse about twenty feet from the piece and was about to enquire where General
Williams was, when suddenly I discovered that the gunners were rebels.
"I was completely taken by sui-prise ; my heart dropped to the bottom of my
boots. 'Sent with an important order — lost in the woods and captured I * What a
tale for my general! My first thought was to escape. I hastily surveyed my stir-
roundings. An open, narrow road ran down the side of the hill and up another, the
valley thus formed being heavily wooded. Upon the crest of the opposite hill was
a blue line, which I knew to be our troops.
" In an instant my mind was made up and my heart seemed to come back with a
thump to my breast. I resolved to ride down that narrow road to death or freedom.
It was entirely open, being commanded by our troops. I walked my horse past the
piece of artilleiy, gazing at the rebels as unconcernedly as I could. Although I was
in uniform with slioulder straps, my I'louse was covered with dust, and they did not
spring for nie, apparently not realizing that I was a Union officer. As soon as I
passed, I struck into a gallop, not too fast to attract attention, yet ready for a burst
of speed. In a moment I passed another piece of artillery and then came down to
woods, at the edge of which some horses were tied.
" All this time I was making careful observBtions and realized that in all proba-
bility there was a large force of infantry at the foot of the hill before me — as artillery
is never placed in advance of infantry — and the problem now became, how to
reach the blue line oE friends on the hill. Thus far I had proceeded, apparently
without being recognized.
" Suddenly, just as I reached the border of the woods, some one cried out : ' Shoot
him ! ' and I dug the spurs in and rode for my life. And how that brave horse did
cover the ground! Down we went along the incline with no sign of a stumble,
while I bent low over my pommel and fairly held my breath.
"Instantly, from both
sides of the road
came volleys of
musietry,
while
all
"FROM BOTH SIDES CAME V0LLEV8."
through the woods the shouts resounded : ' Shoot him ! Kill him ! ' and both
forces, aroused by the noise at that point, opened a heavy fire, so that I rode into
onr line amid a hailstorm of bullets. I was hit once and my right arm was
fractured, but I was not thrown from my horse, which was wounded in three
places.
" I afterwards learned that I had, in some way, blundered through both lines,
and behind a brigade of the enemy, thrown in advance of their line, and that I rode
through this brigade and passed the headquarters of the rebel general, A. P. Hill."
'OUR GUN WAS KEPT IN MOTION."
AMOS J. ODHmHaB.
•Tta Twenty-sixth New Jersey Infantry, of
* which Amos J. Commings was sergeant-
major, was part of General Sedgwick's Corps,
which was heavily engaged in the ever memor-
able struggles between Federal and Confeder-
ate forces around Chancellorsville. The cul-
minatioD of the engagements and manaenv-
liugs came with the battle of Salem Church on
May 4, 1864. Generals Early, Anderson and McLaws
had left Lee's Army at Chancellorsville to drive
General Sedgwick's troops into the river. The con-
flict, which followed, was most obstinate, and lasted
all day. Though largely outnumbered, the North-
erners bravely repulsed each assault until darkness
fell, when they were forced to yield to the superior
strength of the enemy, and retreated, in good order,
across the Rappahannock. Up to midnight the armies wrestled for supremacy.
Both sides displayed biuvery and daring, and many were the deeds of heroism per-
formed by friend and foe. The Union soldiers especially were conspicuous for their
gallantry. Some incidents occurred which give one a clear conception of 'Uie fierce-
ness of the fighting and the heroism of the fighters. In this connection Ser;geaiit-
Major Cummings, who earned his medal on that memorable day, furnishes an in-
spiring narrative in the following:
"At sundown on this fourth of May, the Twenty-sixth New Jersey, Second
Brigade, Second Division, lay in line of battle in a depression along a ditch dag by
a farmer to di-ain his land. We were supported by the regular battery occupying a
slight elevation in our rear. Our position was about three-fourths of a mile north
of Salem Church.
" The Confederates massed and came down on us five lines deep. As they ad-
vanced I could hear the oflicer in charge of the battery behind us giving his com-
mands. He was gauging his fuses by the advance of the enemy.
" ' A second and a half ' he shouted.
" * Blim ! Blim ! ' responded his guns.
" ' A second and a quarter ! ' he cried.
" ' Blim ! Blim ! Blim ! ' was the reply.
" ' A full second ! ' he roared.
"'Blim! Blim! Blim!' answered his guns.
" ' Three-quarters of a second ! ' came next.
•"Blim! Blim! BUm!'
" The shrieking of the shells as they swept over our heads was appalling. Sud-
denly, right in front, there was a flash all along the line. The Confederates were
within thirty yards of us and had commenced firing. The rehel yell was still
heard, but the column had lost its impetus. As the yell died away our lieutenant-
colonel shouted : "ten-tion!'
*' The order was heard by every man of the regiment. In a second everybody
was on his feet. The colonel continued : ' Right about face ! '
" The regiment obeyed the orders as if cm parade.
" Then came, probably, the most singular command ever heard on a battle-field.
" 'Regiment, left half wheel ! '
"THE ENEMY WERE UPON U8."
" The left wing of the regiment on our right had swung back, doing so to take
advantage of the natural depression of the field and thus had left a gap between
its left and our right.
"Our colonel saw the opening and realized that by left half wheeling he could
again cement his line. Hence his singular command. But, when our regiment tried
to obey the order, beginning the movement steadily and in perfect form, the result
was disastrous. Suddenly there was a waver, then a break and then a rush for the
river.
"A few brave men remained, but only a moment, when they began to swear and to
coolly walk after their fugitive comrades trying by shouts and curses to rallj them.
A lieutenant of the battery confronted the demoralized men. He stood straight as
an arrow with drawn sword. All of his guns had disappeared but one. It stood
unmanned, subject to capture. His amazement knew no bounds. Our men had
been acting like veterans and were now running over him like frightened deer.
His oaths were terrific. He called them all the names in the vocabulary of indig-
nation. There was a score of our regiment, however, who did not lose their heads.
" ' Let us save the gun! ' I shouted, at the same time seizing it by a wheel. The
enemy were making for the gap, but four of my comrades were with me around the
gun. On came the Southerners and our little group was increased by the coming of
a few more of our men.
" The piece began to move backward in answer to our efforts, but, suddenly there
was a change of scene,
" The enemy had passed through the gap and were upon us. They were holding
our gun by the muzzle and then muskets were clubbed, bayonets were used. If the
combatants had been personal enemies for years, the cursing and reviling could not
have been more bitter. On both sides the wounded fell, uttering oaths and impre-
cations, but without groans.
"Enough of our men had rallied to the cannon to keep it moving until a
Vermont regiment in the woods on our left, a regiment which had stood firm
through all, was able to bring an enfilading fire to bear, when the Confederates
were quickly dispersed.
"The gun was saved, the medal won."
^tnn^ ^ ^^Kf Ifiattilmt
TRUE COMRADESHIP
A T THE battle of Salem Heights, the Second Bri-
^~^ gade, Second Division, Sixth Army Corps,
made a charge on Marye's Heights, near Freder-
icksburg, when one of the regiments was thrown
into confusion, breaking away from the line. This
caused a gap in the chai^ng columns and jeopard-
ized the success of the attack, the blame resting
entirely with the colonel of the regiment. Repeated
efforts to reform the line failed. Finally Lieuten-
ant Frank G. Butterfield, of Company A, Sixth
Vermont Infantry, was entrusted with, and assumed
the grave responsibility of moving the regiment
without the consent of the colonel commanding,
bring it back into action in its proper place, in the
midst of a fierce battle, and under a galling fire of
artillery and infantry. The officer in command of the brigade. General L. A. Grant,
thanked and commended the lieutenant, and placed the colonel under arrest.
The day following, May 4th, the Sixth Army Corps was under fire all day. At
dusk the lines were shortened and upon a new line being formed near the river at
Banks' Ford, General Grant made the startling discovery that the Sixth Vermont
Infantry was missing, possibly captured. Lieutenant Butterfield would not believe
that his brave Vermonters had been made prisoners, and General Grant sent him to
search for the regiment. At last he found his comrades in a strong position several
hundred yards in front of the original line of battle. They had repulsed a charge
of the enemy, and, charging in return, had been carried far from the original
line by their impetuosity and valor. In the meantime, however, the enemy had
already attacked the new line. Heavy cannonading sounded from the rear of the
Vermont regiment. Colonel Barney, commanding, was loath to retire, but, of
course, fell back with his regiment. Lieutenant Butterfield took command of a
gkirmish line, covered the retreat, and saved the regiment from destruction.
FBAKK O. BUTTSBFISLD.
Uenlensnt. Co. A. Gtb Vennant IntADtry.
HlgHeat rank ■lulned : BrDt.-Oeneril, U. B.
Bom at BocblnghHin , Vt., IMS.
At Lee's Mills a few weeks before the incident above recorded. Lieutenant
Butterfield was forced to fall back over the Warwick Creek with his command while
under a fearful fire from the enemy. He and Captain E. F. Reynolds, of Company
F, Sixth Vermont Infantry, were the last to retreat. The captain fell, and here it
was that Lieutenant Butterfield displayed true comradeship. He assisted the
wounded officer across the creek, where in midstream he fainted. But the lieu-
tenant would not desert him. He held his head up above water until he had reached
the other bank with his load, only to find that his comrade was dead.
THWARTED THE ENEMY'S
ATTACKS
HBLSOH A. MILES.
f ibutbnant-Geneeal Nblson a. M1LE8
^ received his Medal of Honor wher
a colonel daring the "War of the Rebel-
lion. The proud distinction was given
this brilliant American soldier for " dis
tinguished gallantry while holding with
his command, an advanced position,
against repeated assaults by a strong foreo
of the enemy."
The occurrence took place during the
battle of Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 18(iH,
and is described by General Miles himself in
the follomng :
"On Friday, May 1, 1863, as the Second Army
Corps was advancing from Chancelloi-sville to-
ward Fredericksburg, Va., my regiment being in
advance, I was ordered to move forward and de-
ploy my command as skirmishers on the right of
the road. After advancing through the woods some 500 yards, I came to an open
field, where I found the enemy, and also a brigade belonging to the Twelfth Army
Corps, which was retreating double-quick, without rear guard or fiankers. Here I
was ordered to halt, and I remained in this position about half an hour, when I
was informed l)y Lieutenant Alvord, of General Caldwell's staff, that the division
was falling back, and ordered me to protect the rear. The enemy was then ad-
vancing in column with a very strong skirmish line, which was different from any I
had ever seen, being much stronger and in four ranks ; part filed to the front,
keeping up a continued fire. We were also exposed to the fire of their artillery, but
without much loss, we fell back until I passed the troops of the Third Corps, when I
reformed the line, and was soon ordered forward with the rest of the brigade, taking
up a new position on the left of the road, my right connecting with the One hundred
and forty-eighth Pennsylvania and my left with that of the Twenty-second Massa-
chusetts Volunteers, Geneiul Barnes' Division. I was then ordered by Lieutenant
Mitchell, of General Hancock's staff, to take charge of the line of skirmishers in
front of the entire division. During the fore part of the night I received instruc-
tions from Genei-al Hancock that the division was to withdraw to another line some
distance to the rear, and ordered me to establish my line on the most favomble
ground in its front.
— 178—
'' At 3 A. M. of the 2dy I withdrew the picket line to the rear of an abatis, which
had been formed during the night by some regiments of the division. Here I
remained during the day. The force on this line consisted of the Fifty-seventh
New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Chapman ; two companies of the
Fifty-second New York, four companies of the Second Delaware, and six companies
of the One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania, together with the Eleventh
Massachusetts Volunteers, Colonel Blaisdell, which was ordered there by General
Carr, for the purpose of feeling the enemy with their sharpshooters.
" We were constantly engaged skirmishing with the enemy during the day, and
at about 3 P. M. the enemy commenced massing his troops in two columns, one on
each side of the road, flanked by a line of battle about 800 yards in front in the
woods. Their orders could be distinctly heard. They soon advanced with a tre-
mendous yell, and were met with a sure and deadly fire of one single line. A very
sharp engagement continued for about half an hour after which the enemy fell back
in disorder. Their charge was impetuous and determined, advancing within twenty
yards of my abatis, but were hurled back with fearful loss, and made no further
demonstrations.
"About 9 A. M. of the 3d instant, I received a detachment of 250 men, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel McCreary, of the One hundred and forty-fifth
Pennsylvania, as a support. Soon after, my line was vigorously attacked by the
enemy on the left, and engaged the entire line. This continued for about half an
hour, when I deployed about one-third of my reserve on the left, and was about to
order up the remainder when I received a severe wound in the abdomen, and was
obliged to leave the field."
Colonel Miles' conduct througnout this campaign was highly commended by his
superior oflBcers who in their oflBcial reports of this battle lavished? their praise upon
the young soldier. After the engagement at Chancellorsville, General John C. Cald*
well spoke of him in the following fiattering terms :
" Colonel Miles, of the Sixty-first New York Volunteers, was placed by General
Hancock in command of the picket line of the division, which consisted of six
companies of the One hundred and forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, the Fifty-
seventh New York, two companies of the Second Delaware, supported by the
Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers.
** With this force Colonel Miles skirmished all day long with the enemy, and at
3 P. M., repulsed with signal loss, a determined attack of the enemy, made in two
columns on each side of the road. I do not doubt, that this repulse of the enemy,
which kept them from our main lines, was due principally to the skill and gallantry
of Colonel Miles, who, with a single line of skirmishers, deployed at three paces,
repelled a determined attack of the enemy made in column, a feat rarely paralleled.
* * * * I confess I was somewhat anxious for the One hundred and forty-eighth
Pennsylvania Volunteers, it being a new regiment, and, never having been exposed
to fire. It behaved, however, throughout with the greatest coolness, vying with
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the old troops in steadiness. Colonel Miles speaks in high terms of the six com-
panies that were on picket, and the other four companies fought with the greatest
gallantry under my own eye. I have seldom seen a more steady or better-directed
fire than was theirs in the woods on Sunday. The Sixty-first New York Volunteers
maintained its well earned reputation for steadiness, bravery, and all good soldierly
qualities.
"I greatly regret to report that Colonel Miles was severely, if not mortally,
wounded on Sunday morning while handling the picket line with masterly ability.
[ have had occasion heretofore to mention the distinguished conduct of Colonel
Miles in every battle in which the brigade has been engaged. His merits as a mili-
tary man seem to me of the very highest order. I know of no terms of praise too
exaggerated to characterize his masterly ability. If ever a soldier earned promotion,
he has done so. Providence should spare his life, and I earnestly recommend that he
should be promoted and intrusted with a command commensurate with his abilities."
'AMONG THE MOST HEROIC OF THE WAR"
"T EEQAED the conduct of the soldiers who
^ manned the transports as among the most
heroic of the whole war."
Admiral Porter in expressing this opinion
referred to the men who manned the trans-
ports Tiger, John F. Cheeseraan, Moderator,
Henry Clay, Anglo-Saxon, and Horizon, which
ferried the Union troops across the Mississippi.
This brilliant feat is described by Second
Lieutenant James D. Vernay, of the Seventy-
seventh Illinois Volunteers, who commanded
the Horizon, as follows :
"Some few days before the boats were
being prepared for the special service of fer-
rying the troops across the Mississippi, I over-
heard Generals Logan's and Grant's quarter-
masters talking about calling for volunteers
to man the boats. The next morning I walked nine miles in the rain and mud down
the levee to general headquarters, to put my name down.
"I met Colonel Rawlins, with whom I had a speaking acquaintance, and informed
turn of my intention. He encouraged me and said, that he thought I would have an
'^'s^lS^^'
JAKES D. VERHIT.
M Lieut., Co, B, Hih III. Vol. Int.
BIghest rank stuinpd : Brevet Usloi,
BomsllAC0D,IIl., Dcc.a4,lSU.
opportunity to go. I toM him that the whole of Lc^an's Divisioa woold want to
volunteer and that I would feel disappointed if my offer were not accepted. He
took a Blip of paper and wrote my name, rank, and regiment, and said: 'There,
will that suit you I * * Well, that's what I came here for,' I replied.
"I was placed in command of the Horizon, the last one of the six transports.
An hour before the time set for our boats to go in under fire, I assembled our men
in the cabin. There I gave them some necessary instructions, provided them with
pieces of strong cord to tie up a wounded leg or arm, if such emergency should
arise, and impressed upon them the importance of our service. They crowded about
me, some showing the pictures of their loved ones, wives, children, mothers, and
sweethearts, and we finally hade each other goodbye, all hoping for a successful
ending, but everyone ready to die in the performance of a sacred duty.
^'We worked all night, arriving at New Carthage on the following morning at
nine o'clock. On April 23d General Grant, after a consultation, ordered the trans-
ports to run the gauntlet of fire. We started at 7 P. M. As we successfully passed
the last of the enemy's batteries, our cheers and hurrahs echoed over the water and
our joy was boundless. With our sis boats, ragged and torn by shot and shell, we
had ferried our troops across the Mississippi, and commenced that brilliant cam-
paign, which ended in the capture of General Pemberton and his whole army at
VicksbuTR."
AN AWFUL BARGE
UNDER FIRE
RIDE
0-
\nb of the most desperate feats of the
war was the attempt of Captain Wil-
liam H. Ward, of Company B, Forty-seventh
Ohio Volunteers, to run the gauntlet of the
Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, on the
night of May 8, 1863. There were three
barges loaded with stores for General Grant's
Army, but between them and their destina-
tion lay the enemy's batteries, mounting
more than one hundred guns, many of them
of the heaviest calibre. The Mississippi River
makes a double bend at this point, like the
letter S, and from the moment the barges
entered the first bend, till they emerged on
the open river below, they would be under
the concentrated fire of the guns every foot of the way, and it seemed impossible
that anyone could live under such a terrible fire.
WILLIAH H. VABD.
— 177 —
The strength of the position was not unknown to Captain Ward, for he had
several times, from a distance watched the batteries in action, when the ironclads
were attempting to run the blockade. What he had seen, instead of deterring him,
only made him more anxious for a closer acquaintance, and when a call was made
for volunteers to take the barge down the stream, he was the first to offer himself.
There was no lack of volunteers, and where only thirty-five men were required, ten
times that number were willing and anxious to go. One man, Addison J. Hodges,
was so eager to go, that he actually offered a comrade a dollar to let him go in
his place.
Previous expeditions had run the gauntlet of these batteries with more or less
success, but always on the darkest of nights and convoyed by armor-clad gunboats.
On this occasion a full moon and a clear sky made the night as light as day, and
there were no gunboats to shelter the barges from the enemy's fire. There was
only one little tiig, the George Sturgis, to tow the barges, and any accident to her
would wreck the whole expedition. This did not discourage the gallant little band,
and the account of the adventure is entertainingly given by Captain Ward, as
follows :
"We cast off from Milliken's Bend, La., about fifteen miles above Vicksburg at
ten o'clock P. M, The trip down the river was uneventful until two o'clock in the
morning, when a rocket sent up from one of the Confederate batteries, warned the
enemy of our approach, and we were soon under a heavy fire. It was a wild ride
we had from this time on.
" Battery after battery opened on us as we came within range, until it seemed
that the guns were being played upon like the keys of a piano, and to say that the
rain of shot and shell was terrific but faintly describes the situation. The scene
was indescribably grand and awe-inspiring as we steamed slowly past the city amid
the roar of more than a hundred guns, with their death-dealing missiles whistling
and shrieking over and around us, and exploding on board, while the patter of
bullets from the infantry resembled a fall of hail-stones. The barges were large and
unwieldy ; and as we could make only about six miles an hour at best, the enemy's
gunners were able to get our range accurately. We had been struck many times
but not seriously damaged. The little tug seemed to bear a charmed life, for we
passed several times within a hundred yards of the heaviest batteries.
" We had now been under fire three-quarters of an hour, and had reached a point
below the city where ten minutes more meant safety. The steady * puff-puff ' of the
little tug gave assurance that all was right, and we were beginning to indulge in
mental congratulations on the success of the expedition, when a roar like the
bursting of a volcano, caused the barges to rock as if shaken by an earthquake, and
in an instant the air was filled with burning coals, flying timbers, and debris. A
plunging shot froip a heavy gun, stationed on an eminence far in the rear, had struck
the tug and penetrated to the furnaces, where it exploded, blowing the boilers and
machinery up through the deck, and completely wrecking the vessel. The blazing
—178—
coals fell in a shower over both barges, setting fire to the bales of hay in hundreds
of places at once. The enemy sent up a cheer upon witnessing our misfortune, and
for a few minutes seemingly redoubled their fire. The tug went down like a plum-
met, while the barges were soon blazing wrecks, drifting with the eddying current
of the river. No recourse remained but surrender, and the waving of a handker-
chief from a soldier's bayonet caused the firing to cease. The fiames compelled the
survivors to seek safety by taking to the water, and,* having no boats, we fioated off
on bales of hay and found them Surprisingly buoyant. The wounded were first cared
for, and then all took passage on the hay-bale line.
" The enemy now hailed us from shore, ordering us to come in and surrender, but, on
learning that we had no boats, sent their own to our assistance, capturing all but one
of the survivors. That one, Julius C. Conklin by name, was the only man in the party
who could not swim. He managed, with the aid of a piece of wreckage, to reach the
Louisiana shore unobserved by the enemy, and rejoined his company two days later.
" When all had been rescued and assembled in the moonlight under guard of
Confederate bayonets, the roll was called, and just sixteen, less than half our
original number, were found to have survived. Some of the scalded men were
piteous sights to behold, the fiesh hanging in shreds from their faces and bodies, as
they ran about in excruciating agony, praying that something be done to relieve
their sufferings. These, with the wounded, were speedily sent to a hospital, where
some of them died the next day.
" It is not often, even in a soldier's life, that one is compelled to face death in so
many forms as beset our little party on that memorable night; shot and shell, fire^
water, and a boiler explosion with its attendant horrors. Our captors treated ua
with marked consideration, affording every courtesy consistent with the rules of war
and we were the recipients of many attentions from soldiers and citizens, who
seemed to marvel at the temerity of our undertaking. We were held prisoners in
Vicksburg for two days, when General Grant, having crossed the river and defeated
the enemy near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, began to threaten the city from the rear.
We were then paroled, and hurriedly forwarded to Richmond, Va., where, after an
eventful journey through the Confederacy, we duly arrived, and were assigned
quarters in that famous Confederate hostelry, Libby Prison. Here we remained
about six weeks before we were exchanged and we were only able to rejoin the regi-
ment in the trenches before Vicksburg, on the evening before the surrender, just in
time to be in at the death.
" Language fails to describe my feelings, when with a few companions I entered
the city the next morning, July 4th, immediately after the surrender, under circum-
stances in such marked contrast with my forced advent of a few weeks before. Now
no hostile demonstrations of any kind greeted us. The great guns were still, the hos-
tile flags were furled and * Old Glory ' fioated proudly from the public buildings, while
our late foes were quietly resting in their camps awaiting the pleasure of the victors."
THE END OF THE JOURNEY.
ROUTED MORGAN'S RAIDERS
J.
"'he Twentieth Michigan Infantry under the
command of Lieutenant W. H. Smith,
formed part of a provisional brigade which
included three regiments of Kentucky cavalry
and the Thirteenth Indiana Independent Bat-
tery, and was commanded by Colonel Richard
T. Jacob. The gallant regiment from Michi-
gan, was sent with this provisional brigade
south of the Cumberland River^ to hold the
Confederate general, John Morgan, in check.
How this was accomplished Major Byron M.
Cutcheon describes as follows :
"After some skirmishing at Monticello,
Ky., we had fallen back to the Cumberland River
on May 9, 1863, and were waiting for a scout-
ing party to come in, to recross, when
Morgan's advance attacked our outpost at
Horse Shoe Bend, that evening. I hastened
back to the Bend to take command of the
companies stationed there, while Colonel
Smith remained behind to hurry up the rest of the regiment. That night the
regiment came up, and on the morning of the 10th we were re-enforced by a small
body — a squadron I believe — of the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, and
armed with Henry repeating rifles.
" Before their arrival, Morgan's men made a dash and succeeded in seizing the
'Coffey' house, a large log house on the east side of the road, so called after its
owner. We had occupied it as a picket post through the night. The house, out-
buildings, and garden were filled with rebel sharpshooters, who, though they
harassed us throughout the day, did not attempt to advance.
"About 4 o'clock P. M., — it was Sunday — Colonel Jacob having been re-enforced
by a piece of Captain Sims' battery, resolved to take the aggressive, and to drive the
rebels out of the house and grounds. To me was assigned the command of four
companies, A and D, on the left of the road in the field, and C and K, in the road and
BTKOM IL 01TT0HBOK.
U&jor, aoth Mich. latSnti^.
Hlgbest rsnkstMlned: BrevetBrlg-Gen..U.S
Bom at PembrDke, N. H., Mb; 11, me.
■organ's Riid.— In the Bummer of 1S63, General John Morgan conducted hie famous raid through
Kentucky into Indiana and Ohio. Starting from Sparta, Tennessee, with a force of 3,000 men, he made his
way northward to the Ohio at Brandenburg, and crossed into Indiana. He was stopped at varioua points
by local forces, but made his wa; into Ohio, made a circuit to the north of Cincinnati, and attempted to
recross the river. He was driven back by Federal gunboats, and passed on to New Lisbon, where he was
captured by the brigade of General Shackleford. He was held a prisoner for four months, then made his
escape into Kentucky, and finally reached Bichmond.
to the right. At the signal we went forward at our very best pace. I was then jnsfc
sis feet two inches tall, one half of the length in legs, and an expert runner from
practice in college. I took a course directly down the road to the south in front of
the companies, — one could hardly say ' line ', for there was no line ; it was a ' go as you
please' foot race — with Captain George C. Barnes, an old fireman from Battle Creek,
Mich., a good second, a rod behind me. The distance was about 150 yards, and we
made it on the jump. There were three steps up to the porch, but I made only one
of tiiem. With my sword in my right hand, and a big Colt's navy revolver in my
left, I threw myself against the weather-beaten door. A moment later, Captain
Barnes came to my side, and the door yielded.
**'Why we were not both shot down then and there, I have never been able to
understand. The rebels certainly missed their opportunity. Instead, we saw the
Johnnies going out of the back doors and windows, and making for the woods, while
the companies coming up right and left of the house, poured volleys into the
retreating foe.
"The charge was a complete success, but Lieutenant William Green and two
enlisted men were killed, and quite a number wounded."
1
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Uie old troops in steadiness. Colonel Miles speaks in high terms of the six com-
panies that were on picket, and the other four companies fought with Hxe greatest
gallantry under my own eye. I have seldom seen a more steady or better-directed
fire than was theirs in the woods on Sunday. The Sixty-first New York Volunteers
maintained its well earned reputation for steadiness, bravery, and all good soldierly
qualities.
"I greatly regret to report that Colonel Miles was severely, if not mortally,
wounded on Sunday morning while handling the picket line with masterly ability.
[ have had occasion heretofore to mention the distinguished conduct of Colonel
Miles in every battle in which the brigade has been engaged. His merits as a mili-
tary man seem to me of the very highest order. I know of no terms of praise too
exaggerated to characterize his masterly ability. If ever a soldier earned promotion,
he has done so. Providence should spare his life, and I earnestly recommend that he
should be promoted and intrusted with a command commensurate with his abilities."
'AMONG THE MOST HEROIC OF THE WAR'
"I
BGQABD the conduct of the soldiers who
manned the transports as among the most
heroic of the whole war."
Admiral Porter in expressing this opinion
referred to the men who manned the trans-
ports Tiger, John F. Cheeseman, Moderator,
Henry Clay, Anglo-Saxon, and Horizon, which
ferried the Union troops across the Mississippi.
This brilliant feat is described by Second
Lieutenant James D. Vemay, of the Seventy-
seventh niinois Volunteers, who commanded
the Horizon, as follows :
"Some few days before the boata were
being prepared for the special service of fer-
rying the troops across the Mississippi, I over-
heard Generals Logan's and Grant's quarter-
masters talking about calling for volunteers
to man the boats. The next morning I walked nine miles in the rain and mud down
the levee to general headquarters, to put my name down.
" I met Colonel Rawlins, with whom I had a speaking acquaintance, and informed
him of my intention. He encouraged me and said, that he thought I would have an
JJUCB8 D. VXBNAT.
Sd Lieut.. Co. B. TTih HI. Vol, Inl.
Highest mnk BtUilned: Brevet Major.
Born at Lacon, III.. Dec. H, ISS4.
the old troops in steadiness. Colonel Miles speaks in high terms of the six com-
panies that were on picket, and the other four companies fought with the greatest
gallantry under my own eye. I have seldom seen a more steady or better-directed
fire than was theirs in the woods on Sunday. The Sixty-6rst New York Volunteers
maintained its well earned reputation for steadiness, bravery, and all good soldierly
qualities.
"I greatly regret to report that Colonel Miles was severely, if not mortally,
wounded on Sunday morning while handling the picket line with masterly ability.
I have had occasion heretofore to mention the distinguished conduct of Colonel
Miles in every battle in which the brigade has been engaged. His merits as a mili-
tary man seem to me of the very highest order. I know of no terms of praise too
exaggerated to characterize his masterly ability. If ever a soldier earned promotion,
he has done so. Providence should spare his life, and I earnestly recommend that he
should be promoted and intrusted with a command commensurate with his abilities."
* AMONG THE MOST HEROIC OF THE WAR'
"I BEOAEn the conduct of the soldiers who
* manned the transports as among the most
heroic of the whole war."
Admiral Porter in expressing this opinion
referred to the men who manned the trans-
ports Tiger, John F. Cheeseman, Moderator,
Henry Clay, Anglo-Saxon, and Horizon, which
ferried the Union troops across the Mississippi.
This brilliant feat is described by Second
Lieutenant James D. Vemay, of the Seventy-
seventh Illinois Volunteers, who commanded
the Horizon, as follows :
"Some few days before the boats were
being prepared for the special service of fer-
rying the troops across the Mississippi, I over-
heard Generals Logan's and Grant's quarter-
masters talking about calling for volunteers
to man the boats. The next morning I walked nine miles in the rain and mud down
the levee to general headquarters, to put my name down.
" I met Colonel Rawlins, with whom I had a speaking acquaintance, and informed
him of my intention. He encouraged me and said, that he thought I would have an
^^P^tW^
JAHBS D. VBBHAT.
Sd Llent., Co. B. TTih III. Vol. Int.
HlghMt nnkallslned; Brevet Major.
Born Ht LftcOD,lU.,Deo. 31. ISM.
opportunity to go. I told him that the whole of Logan*8 IMvision wonld want to
Tolunteer and that I would feel disappointed if my offer were not accepted. He
took a slip of paper and wrote my name, rank, and regiment, and said: 'There,
will that suit you t * ' Well, that's what I came here for,' I replied.
"I was placed in command of the Horizon, the last one of the aix transports.
An hour before the time set for our boats to go in under fire, I assembled our men
in the cabin. There I gave them some necessary instructions, provided them with
pieces of strong cord to tie up a wounded leg or arm, it such emergency should
arise, and impressed upon them the importance of our service. They crowded about
me, some showing the pictures of their loved ones, wives, children, mothers, and
sweethearts, and we finally bade each other goodbye, all hoping for a successful
ending, but everyone ready to die in the performance of a sacred duty.
"We worked all night, arriving at New Carthage on the following morning at
nine o'clock. On April 23d General Grant, after a consultation, ordered the trans-
ports to run the gauntlet of fire. We started at 7 P. M. As we successfully passed
the last of the enemy's batteries, our cheers and hurrahs echoed over the water and
onr joy was boundless. With oar six boats, ragged and torn by shot and shell, we
had ferried our troops across the Mississippi, and commenced that brilliant cam-
paign, which ended in the capture of General Pemberton and his whole army at
Vicksburst."
wnXIiJi H. VABD.
A.irtsn.Mlch.,D«.9,
AN AWFUL BARGE
UNDER FIRE
RIDE
Q»
■^NE of the most desperate feats of the
war was the attempt of Captain Wil-
liam H. Ward, of Company B, Forty-seventh
Ohio Volunteers, to run the gauntlet of the
Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, on the
night of May 3, 1863. There were three
baizes loaded with stores for General Grant's
Army, but between them and their destina-
tion lay the enemy's batteries, monntlng
more than one hundred guns, many of them
of the heaviest calibre. The Mississippi River
makes a double bend at this point, like the
letter S, and from the moment the barges
entered the first bend, till they emerged on
the open river below, they would be under
the concentrated fire of the guns every foot of the way, and it seemed impossble
that anyone could live under such a terrible fire.
■ ■■■I.!.. X I 111 M api ,1, #.h;— fc^ifc— — ^^^a^jMafcaa
The strength of the position was not unknown to Captain Ward, for he had
several times, from a distance watched the batteries in action, when the ironclads
were attempting to run the blockade. What he had seen, instead of deterring him,
only made him more anxious for a closer acquaintance, and when a call was made
for volunteers to take the barge down the stream, he was the first to offer himself.
There was no lack of volunteers, and where only thirty-five men were required, ten
times that number were willing and anxious to go. One man, Addison J. Hodges,
was so eager to go, that he actually offered a comrade a dollar to let him go in
his place.
Previous expeditions had run the gauntlet of these batteries with more or less
success, but always on the darkest of nights and convoyed by armor-clad gunboats.
On this occasion a full moon and a clear sky made the night as light as day, and
there were no gunboats to shelter the barges from the enemy's fire. There was
only one little tiig, the George Sturgis, to tow the barges, and any accident to her
would wreck the whole expedition. This did not discourage the gallant little band,
and the account of the adventure is entertainingly given by Captain Ward, as
follows :
"We cast off from Milliken's Bend, La., about fifteen miles above Vicksburg at
ten o'clock P. M, The trip down the river was uneventful until two o'clock in the
morning, when a rocket sent up from one of the Confederate batteries, warned the
enemy of our approach, and we were soon under a heavy fire. It was a wild ride
we had from this time on.
" Battery after battery opened on us as we came within range, until it seemed
that the guns were being played upon like the keys of a piano, and to say that the
rain of shot and shell was terrific but faintly describes the situation. The scene
was indescribably grand and awe-inspiring as we steamed slowly past the city amid
the roar of more than a hundred guns, with their death-dealing missiles whistling
and shrieking over and around us, and exploding on board, while the patter of
bullets from the infantry resembled a fall of hail-stones. The barges were large and
unwieldy ; and as we could make only about six miles an hour at best, the enemy's
gunners were able to get our range accurately. We had been struck many times
but not seriously damaged. The little tug seemed to bear a charmed life, for we
passed several times within a hundred yards of the heaviest batteries.
" We had now been under fire three-quarters of an hour, and had reached a point
below the city where ten minutes more meant safety. The steady * puff-puff ' of the
little tug gave assurance that all was right, and we were beginning to indulge in
mental congratulations on the success of the expedition, when a roar like the
bursting of a volcano, caused the barges to rock as if shaken by an earthquake, and
in an instant the air was filled with burning coals, flying timbers, and debris. A
plunging shot fro^i a heavy gun, stationed on an eminence far in the rear, had struck
the tug and penetrated to the furnaces^ where it exploded, blowing the boilers and
machinery up through the deck, and completely wrecking the vessel. The blazing
— ITS—
coals fell in a shower over both barges, setting fire to the bales of hay in hundreds
of places at once. The enemy sent up a cheer upon witnessing our misfortunei and
for a few minutes seemingly redoubled their fire. The tug went down like a plum-
met, while the l)arges were soon blazing wrecks, drifting with the eddying current
of the river. No recourse remained but surrender, and the waving of a handker-
chief from a soldier's bayonet caused the firing to cease. The flames compelled the
survivors to seek safety by taking to the water, and,* having no boats, we floated off
on bales of hay and found them surprisingly buoyant. The wounded were flrst cared
for, and then all took passage on the hay-bale line.
" The enemy now hailed us from shore, ordering us to come in and surrender, but, on
learning that ^ye had no boats, sent their own to our assistance, capturing all but one
of the survivors. That one, Julius C. Conklin by name, was the only man in the party
who could not swim. He managed, with the aid of a piece of wreckage, to reach the
Louisiana shore unobserved by the enemy, and rejoined his company two days later.
" When all had been rescued and assembled in the moonlight under guard of
Confederate bayonets, the roll was called, and just sixteen, less than half our
original number, -were found to have survived. Some of the scalded men were
piteous sights to behold, the flesh hanging in shreds from their faces and bodies, as
they ran about in excruciating agony, i)raying that something be done to relieve
their sufferings. These, with the wounded, were speedily sent to a hospital, where
some of them died the next day.
" It is not often, even in a soldier's life, that one is compelled to face death in so
many forms as l)eset our little party on that memorable night; shot and shell, fire^
water, and a boiler explosion with its attendant horrors. Our captors treated us
with marked consideration, affording every courtesy consistent with the rules of war
and we were tlio recipients of many attentions from soldiers and citizens, who
seemed to marvel at the temerity of our undertaking. We were held prisoners in
Vicksburg for two days, when General Grant, having crossed the river and defeated
the enemy near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, began to threaten the city from the rear.
We were then paroled, and hurriedly forwarded to Richmond, Va., where, after an
eventful journey through the Confederacy, we duly arrived, and were assigned
quarters in that famous Confederate hostelry, Libby Prison. Here we remained
about six weeks before w-e were exchanged and we were only able to rejoin the regi-
ment in the ti-enches before Vicksburg, on the evening before the surrender, just in
time to l)e in at the death.
" Language fails to descrilje my feelings, when with a few companions I entered
the city the next morning, July 4th, immediately after the sun-ender, under circum-
stances in sucli marked contrast with my forced advent of a few weeks before. Now
no hostile deinonslrations of any kind greeted us. The great guns were still, the hos-
tile tlaf^'s Avere furled and 'Old Glory' floated proudly from the public buildings, while
our late foes were quietly resting in their camps awaiting the pleasure of the victors."
to the right At the signal we went forward at onr very hesfc pace. I was then just
sis feet two inches tall, one half of the length in legs, and an expert runner from
practice in college. I took a course directly down the road to the south in front of
the companies, — one could hardly say * line ', for there was no line ; it was a ' go as you
please' foot race — with Captain George C. Barnes, an old fireman from Battle Creek,
Mich., a good second, a rod behind me. The distance was about 160 yards, and we
made it on the jump. There were three steps up to the porch, but I made only one
of them. With my sword in my right hand, and a big Colt's navy revolver in my
left, I threw myself against the weather-beaten door. A moment later, Captain
Barnes came to my side, and the door yielded.
"I THREW MYSELF AGAINST
THE WEATHER-BEATEN DOOR."
"Why we were not both shot down then and there, I have never been able to
understand. The rebels certainly missed their opportunity. Instead, we saw the
Johnnies going out of the back doors and windows, and making for the woods, while
the companies coming up right and left of the house, poured volleys into the
retreating foe.
"The charge was a complete success, but Lieutenant William Green and two
enlisted men were killed, and quite a number wounded."
the old troops in Bteadiness. Colonel Miles speaks in high terms of the six com-
panies that were on picket, and the other four companiea fought with the greatest
gallantry under my own eye. I have seldom seen a more steady or better-directed
fire than was theirs in the woods on Sunday. The Sixty-first New York Volunteers
maintained its well earned reputation for steadiness, bravery, and all good soldierly
qualities.
"I greatly regret to report that Colonel Miles was severely, if not mortally,
wounded on Sunday morning while handling the picket line with masterly ability.
I have had occasion heretofore to mention the distinguished conduct of Colonel
Miles in every battle in which the brigade has been engaged. His merits as a mili-
tary man seem to me of the very highest order. I know of no terms of praise too
exa^erated to characterize his masterly ability. If ever a soldier earned promotion,
he has done so. Providence should spare his life, and I earnestly recommend that he
should be promoted and intrusted with a command commensurate with his abilities."
* AMONG THE MOST HEROIC OF THE WAR'
"I BEOAED the conduct of the soldiers who
■ manned the transports as among the most
heroic of the whole war."
Admiral Porter in expressing this opinion
referred to the men who manned the trans-
ports Tiger, John F. Cheeseman, Moderator,
Henry Clay, Anglo-Saxon, and Horizon, which
ferried the Union troops across the Mississippi,
This brilliant feat is described by Second
Lieutenant James D. Vemay, of the Seventy-
seventh Illinois Volunteers, who commanded
the Horizon, as follows :
"Some few days before the boats were
being prepared for the special service of fer-
rying the troops across the Mississippi, I over-
heard Generals Logan's and Grant's quarter-
masters talking about calling for volunteers
to man the boats. The next morning I walked nine miles in the rain and mud down
the levee to general headquarters, to put my name down.
" I met Colonel Rawlins, with whom I had a speaking acquaintance, and informed
him of my intention. He encouraged me and said, that he thought I would have an
~*;0-^
JAHES D. VBEHAT.
ad Llent.. Co, B. Wtb III. Vol.
opportunity to go. I told bim that the whole of Logan*s IMTiEoon would want to
volunteer and that I would feel disappointed if my offer were not accepted. He
took a slip of paper and wrote my name, rank, and regiment, and said: 'There,
will that suit you ? ' ' Well, that's what I came here for,' I replied.
"I was placed in command of the Horizon, the last one of the six transports.
An hour before the time set for our boats to go in under fire, I assembled our men
in the cabin. There I gave them some necessary instructions, provided them with
pieces of strong cord to tie up a wounded leg or arm, if such emergency should
arise, and impressed upon them the importance of our service. They crowded about
me, some showing the pictures of their loved ones, wives, children, mothers, and
sweethearts, and we finally bade each other goodbye, all hoping for a successful
ending, but everyone ready to die in the performance of a sacred duty.
"We worked all night, arriving at New Carthage on the following morning at
nine o'clock. On April 23d General Grant, after a consultation, ordered the trans-
ports to run the gauntlet of fire. We started at 7 P. M. As we successfully passed
the last of the enemy's batteries, our cheers and hurrahs echoed over the water and
our joy was boundless. With our six boats, ragged and torn by shot and shell, we
had ferried our troops across the Mississippi, and commenced that brilliant cam-
paign, which ended in the capture of General Pemberton and his whole army at
Vicksburg."
AN AWFUL BARGE RIDE
UNDER FIRE
Vn.LIAH H. TABD.
0"
^y-E of the most desperate feata of the
war was the attempt of Captain Wil-
liam H. Ward, of Company B, Forty-seventh
Ohio Volunteers, to run the gauntlet of the
Confederate batteries at Vicksbui^, on the
night of May 3, 1863. There were three
barges loaded with stores for General Grant's
Army, but between them and their destina-
tion lay the enemy's batteries, mountii^
more than one hundred guns, many of them
of the heaviest calibre. The Mississippi River
makes a double bend at this point, like the
letter S, and from the moment the barges
entered the first bend, till they emerged on
the open river below, they would be under
the concentrated fire of the guns every foot of the way, and it seemed impoaaible
that anyone could live under such a terrible fire.
—177—
The strength of the position was not unknown to Captain Ward, for he had
several times, from a distance watched the batteries in action, when the ironclads
were attempting to run the blockade. What he had seen, instead of deterring him,
only made him more anxious for a closer acquaintance, and when a call was made
for volunteers to take the barge down the stream, he was the first to offer himself.
There was no lack of volunteers, and where only thirty-five men were required, ten
times that number were willing and anxious to go. One man, Addison J. Hodges,
was so eager to go, that he actually offered a comrade a dollar to let him go in
his place.
Previous expeditions had run the gauntlet of these batteries with more or less
success, but always on the darkest of nights and convoyed by armor-clad gunboats.
On this occasion a full moon and a clear sky made the night as light as day, and
there were no gunboats to shelter the barges from the enemy's fire. There was
only one little tug, the George Sturgis, to tow the barges, and any accident to her
would wreck the whole expedition. This did not discourage the gallant little band,
and the account of the adventure is entertainingly given by Captain Ward, as
follows :
"We cast off from Milliken's Bend, La., about fifteen miles above Vicksburg at
ten o'clock P. M, The trip down the river was uneventful until two o'clock in the
morning, when a rocket sent up from one of the Confederate batteries, warned the
enemy of our approach, and we were soon under a heavy fire. It was a wild ride
we had from this time on.
" Battery after battery opened on us as we came within range, until it seemed
that the guns were being played upon like the keys of a piano, and to say that the
rain of shot and shell was terrific but faintly describes the situation. The scene
was indescribably grand and awe-inspiring as we steamed slowly past the city amid
the roar of more than a hundred guns, with their death-dealing missiles whistling
and shrieking over and around us, and exploding on board, while the patter of
bullets from the infantry resembled a fall of hail-stones. The barges were large and
unwieldy ; and as we could make only about six miles an hour at best, the enemy's
gunners were able to get our range accurately. We had been struck many times
but not seriously damaged. The little tug seemed to bear a charmed life, for we
passed several times within a hundred yards of the heaviest batteries.
" We had now been under fire three-quarters of an hour, and had reached a point
below the city where ten minutes more meant safety. The steady ' puff-puff ' of the
little tug gave assurance that all was right, and we were beginning to indulge in
mental congratulations on the success of the expedition, when a roar like the
bursting of a volcano, caused the barges to rock as if shaken by an earthquake, and
in an instant the air was filled with burning coals, flying timbers, and debris. A
plunging shot trorp. a heavy gun, stationed on an eminence far in the rear, had struck
the tug and penetrated to the furnaces, where it exploded, blowing the boilers and
machinery up through the deck, and completely wrecking the vessel. The blazing
—178—
coals fell in a shower over both barges, setting fire to the bales of hay in handrBds
of places at once. The enemy sent up a cheer upon witnessing oar inisfoitime, and
for a few minutes seemingly redoubled their fire. The tug went down like a plum-
met, while the barges were soon blazing wrecks, drifting with the eddying cnnent
of the river. No recourse remained but surrender, and the waving of a handker-
chief from a soldier's bayonet caused the firing to cease. The flames compelled fihe
survivors to seek safety by taking to the water, and; having no boatSi we floated off
on bales of hay and found them surprisingly buoyant. The wounded were first cared
for, and then all took passage on the hay-bale line.
'' The enemy now hailed us from shore, ordering us to come in and smrender, bnt^ on
learning that we had no boats, sent their own to our assistance, capturing all but one
of the survivors. That one, Julius C. Conklin by name, was the only man in the party
who could not swim. He managed, with the aid of a piece of wreckage, to reach the
Louisiana shore unobserved by the enemy, and rejoined his company two days later.
" When all had been rescued and assembled in the moonlight under guard of
Confederate bayonets, the roll was called, and just sixteen, less than half our
original number, were found to have survived. Some of the scalded men were
piteous sights to behold, the flesh hanging in shreds from their faces and bodies, as
they ran about in excruciating agony, praying that something be done to relieve
their sufferings. These, with the wounded, were speedily sent to a hospital, where
some of them died the next day.
" It is not often, even in a soldier's life, that one is compelled to face death in so
many forms as beset our little party on that memorable night; shot and shell, fire^
water, and a boiler explosion with its attendant horrors. Our captors treated us
with marked consideration, affording every courtesy consistent with the rules of war
and we were the recipients of many attentions from soldiers and citizens, who
seemed to marvel at the temerity of our undertaking. We were held prisoners in
Vicksburg for two days, when General Grant, having crossed the river and defeated
the enemy near Grand Gulf, Mississippi, began to threaten the city from the rear.
We were then paroled, and hurriedly forwarded to Richmond, Va., where, after an
eventful journey through the Confederacy, we duly arrived, and were assigned
quarters in tliat famous Confedemte hostelry, Libby Prison. Here we remained
about six weeks before we were exchanged and we were only able to rejoin the regi-
ment in the trenches before Vicksburg, on the evening before the surrender, just in
• time to be in at tlie death.
" Language fails to descril)e my feelings, when witli a few companions I entered
the city the next morning, July 4th, immediately after the surrender, under circnm-
stances in sucli marked contrast with my forced adv(»nt of a few weeks before. Now
no hostile demonstrations of any kind greeted us. The great guns were still, the hos-
tile flags were furled and *01d Glory' floated jn'oudly from the public buildings, while
our late foes were quietly resting in their camps awaiting the pleasure of the victors.*'
THE END OF THE JOURNEY.
ROUTED MORGAN'S RAIDERS
"T-H
"'hb Twentieth Michigan Infantry under the
command of Lieutenant W. H. Smith,
formed part of a provisional brigade which
included three regiments of Kentucky cavalry
and the Thirteenth Indiana Independent Bat-
tery, and was commanded by Colonel Richard
T. Jacob. The gallant regiment from Michi-
gan, was sent with this provisional brigade
south of the Cumberland River, to hold the
Confederate general, John Morgan, in check.
How this was accomplished Major Byron M.
Cutcheou describes as follows :
"After some skirmishing at Monticello,
Ky., we had fallen back to the Cumberland River
on May 9, 1863, and were waiting for a scout-
ing party to come in, to recross, when
Morgan's advance attacked onr outpoat at
Horse Shoe Bend, that evening, I hastened
back to the Bend to take command of the
companies stationed there, while Colonel
Smith remained behind to huny up the rest of the regiment. That night the
regiment came up, and on the morning of the 10th we were re-enforced by a small
body — a squadron I believe — of the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, dismounted, and
armed with Henry repeating rifles.
"Before their arrival, Morgan's men made a dash and succeeded in seizing the
'Coffey' house, a large log bouse on the east side of the road, so called after its
owner. "We had occupied it as a picket post through the night. The house, out-
buildings, and garden were filled with rebel sharpshooters, who, though they
harassed us throughout the day, did not attempt to advance.
"About 4 o'clock P. M., — it was Sunday — Colonel Jacob having been re-enforced
by a piece of Captain Sims' battery, resolved to take the aggressive, and to drive the
rebels out of the house and grounds. To me was assigned the command of four
companies, A and D, on the left of the road in the field, and C and K, in the road and
BTBOH U ODTOHEOK.
Major.BOth Mich. Infantry,
ink attained: Brevet BrlR-Grn
nat Pembroke, N.H., May 11, II
Morgan's Raid. — In the summer of 1863, Qpneral John ^Inrgan conducted his famoiia raid through
Kentucky into Indiana and Ohio. Starting from Sparta, Tciint-ssef, with a force of 3,000 men, he made hia
way northward to thn Ohio at Brandenburg, and crossed into Indiana. He was stopped at various pointa
by local forces, but made his way into Ohio, made a circuit to the north of Cincinnati, and attempted to
recroSB the river. He was driven b.iclc by Federal f^nboats, and passed on to New Lisbon, where he waa
captured by the brigade of General Shaelileford. He was held a prisoner for four months, then made his
escape into Kentucky, and finally reached Bichraond.
to the right. At the signal we went forward at onr very best pace. I was then just
sis feet two inches tall, one half of the length in legs, and an expert ranner from
practice in college. I took a course directly down the road to the south in front of
the companies, — one could hardly say 'line', for there was no line; it was a 'go as you
please' foot race — with Captain George C. Barnes, an old fireman from Battle Creek,
Mich., a good second, a rod behind me. The distance was about 150 yards, and we
made it on the jump. There were three steps up to the porch, but I made only one
of them. With my sword in my right hand, and a big Colt's nary revolver in my
left, I threw myself against the weather-beaten door. A moment later, Captain
Barnes came to my side, and the door yielded.
"Why we were not both shot down then and there, I have never been able to
understand. The rebels certainly missed their opportunity. Instead, we saw the
Johnnies going out of the back doors and windows, and making for the woods, while
the companies coming up right and left of the house, poured volleys into the
retreating foe.
"The charge was a complete success, but Lieutenant William Green and two
enlisted men were killed, and quite a nomber wounded."
WIT AND NERVE OF A SOLDIER-CLERGYMAN
JH
Phb matters of food for men, fodder for
horses, and horses and mules for the
transportation of an army in the enemy's
country, are among the most important
considerations presented to a commanding
officer. Forage duty on the other hand,
requires alertness, quick wit and good
judgment, and prompt, energetic action
on the part of the men detailed on such
service. It was while in command of a
party of foragers that the acting regimen-
tal quartermaster of the Twenty-first Iowa
Infantry, won his Medal of Honor at
Champion Hills, Miss. This quartermaster,
First Lieutenant James Hill, was before
the war a clergyman, but he gave up his
pastorate and enlisted as a private in the
Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry.
He was later promoted to be lieutenant,
and was finally assigned to duty as chaplain of his regiment.
Of the episode at Champion Hills, where he captured three Confederate pickets,
Lieutenant Hill says :
"On the 16th of May, 1863, while acting as quartermaster of my regiment, I was
ordered by my commander, Colonel Samuel Merrill, to select as many soldiers as I
needed, and return in the direction of the Raymond and Jackson Cross Roads to
forage and collect anything that would serve the regiment on our march to the Big
Black River and Vicksburg. I selected a sufficient number of good men, and seat
them out to cover part of the country, giving them ordei-s to report to me at Ray-
mond and Jackson Cross Koadri with what forage they had gathered in, preparatory
to our return to the regiment.
'After getting my men off on their mission, I took a pony belonging to the regi-
ment and rode through some timber and brush in search of food, mules and horses.
JAMES HILL.
Champion HIII^ — After entering Jackson, Mi!<s.. Miif 13, 1803, and learning that Pemberton was ad-
vancing toward thi' Fi'demls' n'ar, Grant tiinii'd his troops westward so as to be &he&d of Pemberton.
This move ])iii(!ed Mct'liTnand's Corps in the lead, and n^aeliing Cliampion liillB, Misa., on the 16th, Mo-
Cleniand was fnreed inui an en^nKenieut wilh Peiiibertun. McJ'hersrin came upon the field near noon ;
a battle of four iioiirs' di)nitlon wa!i fouglil in dendiy cartii-st, .and resulted in Pemberton being forced
back to Bip: Black Kiver, where Grant overtook him, and. in a sharp actioD, routed the enemy. The
Federate lost 2.20>i in killed and wounded ; while the Confederates lost 3,000 in killed and wounded, and
2,000 taken prisoners.
tn following a path through the dense timber I unexpectedly rode right into the
Confederate lines, and eucountered three rebel pickets with their loaded rifles.
I realized at once that I had gotten myself into a nasty position. Neverthe-
less, I did not lose my presence of mind, for as I emerged from the brush, I instantly
and in the most natural manner, ordered the Johnnies to ' ground arms ! ' They
obeyed. Then slightly turning my head, I addressed an imaginary guard in the
brush, with a hasty order to
'halt'. The under growth and
brush were so heavy that the
Confederates were prevented
from seeing through and thni^
discovering the deception. 1
next gave the command; "Wt.
paces to the front, eyes to t lie
center.* Seeing my revol-
ver in my hand ready for
instant use, the three men
compHed with my com-
mand. I further added
that if any of them
turned his head to right
or left I would shoot
him down in his
tracks. I frequently
^ve the order to
'halt' to my imagin-
ary guard, tending
to frighten my pris-
oners into absolute
obedience. This done,
I deliberately dismounted
and gathered up the three riHes,
placed them against the neck of marchi"
the pony, mounted, took the rifles
under my arm and then gave the order to ray prisoners: 'Single file, march,*
and to my imaginary guard : 'Forward, march.' I hurried -toward the command at
good speed. Before it began to dawn upon my prisoners that I had fooled them,
they found themselves within our lines. I turned them and their rifles over to
Colonel Merrill who sent them to Major-General McClemand. When the prisoners
saw that I had fooled them, their anger was vented in terms more strong than polite,
one of them saying to me: ' Lieutenant, you could never have taken us but for that
devil of a body-guard we thought you had, from tiie way you kept halting them.'"
CAPTURES HIS CAPTOR
D"
OBOEflE WILHBLH.
Captain. Co. F, 56th Oblo Inf.
HlRht^lrankBttalncd: Colonel.
iralnScloCIo Counl;, O.. Aprils, ISSO.
^DEiNG the Vicksburg campaign the Fifty-sixth
Ohio Infantry was with Colonel J. R. Slack's
Second Brigade of the Twelfth Division, Brigadier-
General Alvin P. Hovey, of the Thirteenth Army
Corps under Major-General John A. McClemand,
first, and later, Major-General E. 0. C. Ord. On the
16th of May, about noon, the Federal forces
attacked the Confederates at Champion Hills. The
contest was bitter and stubborn for several hours,
but finally General Pemberton ordered his army to
fall back towards Vicksburg. Thus closed the last
and moat strenuous effort of the Confederate gen-
eral to prevent the complete investment of that
city by Grant. The Fifty-sixth Ohio participated in the battle of Champion Hills,
and Captain George Wilhelm, of that regiment, tells his experience as follows :
"The country over which we advanced on the enemy was hilly and wooded,
with an occasional clearing in which we were raked by a most galling fire from
the enemy's sharp-shooters. 1 was ordered to deploy two companies of infantry
as skirmishers. We were to advance across a clearing, and drive the enemy from
the woods on the opposite side, where they were ensconced behind trees in lai^
numbers.
"We advanced amid a sweeping fire, and slowly gained on the enemy. During
the skirmish 1 lost a number of men. Unable to maintain the ground I had gained,
I turned back and joined my command, the Twelfth Division, Thirteenth Army
Corps, in the general engagement.
"The whole brigade charged upon the enemy, but we were not able to strike a
decisive blow, although we had infiicted heavy losses on them. Five times a
charge was made, and after each attempt we retreated part of the distance we had
advanced. During the fifth charge, I received a shot in my left breast, the bullet
going through me. 1 reeled and fell, and was left on the field.
" Some time later, one of the Confederates rushed to the place where I lay, and
taking me prisoner, brought me to the rear of their lines. At Baker's Creek I
persuaded my guard to stop and allow me to attend to my wound. I managed to
stop the flow of blood by bathing the wound, and the cool water revived my enei^.
"It was fearfully hot at the time, and I continued to gain new strength, while
my guard paid more attention to the fight than to me. When I felt comparatively
comfoi-table, I began to watch for an opportunity to escape. Once my guard turned
his back on me; that was his mistake, for no sooner had he turned than I sprang
forward, seized his musket and fixed it at his breast. Before he had recovered from
his surprise, I ordered him to 'about face' and 'forward, march.' Then I led him
by a circuitous route, to the rear of our lines. It wasn't very easy, for I could
hardly walk myself. My wound pained me considerably and made breathing very
difficult However, I did not betray ray own troubles to my prisoner, and brought
him safely to our lines, where I turned him over to the guard. Then I applied for
medical aid at the hospital."
"I ORDERED HIM TO 'ABOUT FACE.'"
KENDALL'S TEN FOOT LEAP
/~\s the 17th of May, 1863, the Federal troops uuder General Lawler, encountered
^^ the Confederates at the Big Black River Bridge, Miss., well defended on both
sides. A charge was ordered, and notwithstanding the fact that the Federal troops
had to wade through a wide ditch in front of the Confederate earthworks, the
position was carried, seventeen guns were captured, and several hundred prisoners
were taken. Among the troops in this charge was the Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry,
and almost at the beginning of tibe change a majority
of the commissioned ofBceis of the regiment were
either killed or captured. So it happened that ihe
command of Company A, of the Forty-ninth Indiana*
devolved upon First Sergeant William Kendall.
Tall, straight as a gun barrel, aiMetic, and whollj
free from superfluous flesh, Sergeant Kendall had an
ideal soldierly appearance, and more than that, he
appreciated the responsibility of his position. From
both sides the fire was incessant and severe tmtil the
advance of his company was suddenly blocked by a
ten foot ditch. With a yell and a run he leaped
across the opening to a pile of rails, and there, under
tat Beig*t,Co. A,4BUiIndlaDalD(*Dlr7. ni >i .ii-i- --> n
BoroiiiDuboiBCo..iiid.,Aiig.Bi.uM. fire, hc personally assisted m laying rails across the
ditch that his men might more easily follow him.
Then, leading the charge he ordered, he and his men entered the works and cap-
tured more prisoners than be had soldiers in his command, the other ConfederateB
beating a hasty retreat.
■WJLLIAM KSSDALL.
«ig*t, Co. A, iMx IndlsDa loUDlry.
A BRAVE SACRIFICE
In the woods at Carsville, Va., May 15, 1863, occurred one of the most stubbornly
' contested engagements experienced by the Seventh Army Corps. Two days
prior to this date, about 5,000 infantry, the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and
two batt/iries of artillery were tearing up the Eoanoke Railroad, while about the
same number of Confederates were attempting to drive them away.
In recounting the event. Private Joseph S. G. Sweatt, of the Sixth Massachusetts
Infantry, says :
" Skirmishes of more or less importance occurred on the 13th and 14th of May,
but on the 15th the two lines of battle faced each other. The company to which
I belonged, could muster only twenty-eight men — the remainder being on i^e sick
list. Our company, along with Company I, was thrown forward as skirmishers
into the edge of the woods, and at once the firing became furious. In less than
fifteen minutes more than one-third of our little company was either killed or
wounded. Seeing that the enemy had the advantage, the lieutenant in command-
ordered us to retreat — but as skirmishers. It was not long before we discovered
that our line of battle had fallen back, their retreat being covered by the fire of the
Seventh Massachusetts Battery.
"While we were falling back, Comrade Thurston, of Company H, came up to me
and enquired about his son, who was a member of our company. Some one said
that he and Geoi^ Fox were lying near the edge
of the woods, both wounded. His face blanched ;
that look of despair in his face decided my course.
I at once gave my gun to a sergeant and called out
for some one to go with me to recover those two
wounded boys. Dave Goodhue immediately re-
sponded, threw down his gun, and together we
started to rescue our comrades. Closely scanning
the field after we had started, we could see the two
blue spots lying between the lines. The closer we
got to them, the thicker the bullets flew. It looked
to us as though we waulc'. be unable to reach them.
We pushed on, however, determined to save our
friends, and finally reachc'l them ; but as we were
lifting Fos from^^^ ground, my companion, Good-
hue, was mortally wounded. Immediately after,
another shot struck Fox while I was carrying him. '
"The Seventh Massachusetts had now ceased firing .ffid our whole line was
falling back. The Confederates, heavily re-enforced, charged out of the woods. To
reach our retreating lines was now impossible. The enemy were upon us. The
Fourth Louisiana ' Tigers ' took us prisoners,
" After the engagement the wounded were gathered up and taken to the Hebron
. Church, which was then being used as a hospital. From there we were shortly
after taken to Franklin, Va., where before we left, all our wounded, except Goodhne,
had died. I shall never forget the last look oq Goodhue's face as we passed up the
street. The poor fellow was on his knees looking out of the window, — left, to die
among strangers."
JOSEPH B. O. 8WBATT.
Ticksbnrg— In the beginning of the year 1863, the tXnion Army, under Oenerals Grant and McCIbp-
nand, was collected at Memphis, Tcnti., and three months were spent in exploring the vicinity of Vicks-
burg in the hope of gaining a position in the rear of the town. The expedition was supported by Admiral
Porter in command of a flotilla.
Several attempts to open a passage for the gun-boats, by cutting a canal across a bend of the river
Vith the idea of turning the channel, ended in failure.
In April it was decided to run the fleet past the Vicltaburg batteries, and on the 16th the passage waa
effected. General Grant marched his land force down the right or west banli of the Missiesippi, formed a
Junction with the squadron, and, on the 81st defeated the Confederates at Fort Gibson. Shortly after, the
ITnion Army took a position in the rear of the city.
On the 14th a decisive battle waa fought at Jackson, Miss., in which General Grant's right wing
defeated General Johnston's Division and captured the town.
General Pemberton, in command of the Confederate troops in Vicksburg, made a sally with the
greater part of his force on the 18th, and was defeated at Champion Hills on Baker's Creek. He had the
eame experience on the following day at the Black River Bridge, and retired within his defenses.
General Grant ordered assaults on the 19th and 22d, which resulted in repulse with great loss. The
loss to his force in these two days waa estimated at nearly 8,000. The plan was changed to one of regular
■iege, assisted by a bombardment by the gun-boate. The Confederates held out until the 4th of July, when
Pemberton eurrandered with all the defenders of Vicksburg, numbering nearly 80,000, as prisoners of war.
His low in killed and wounded wu 81,277- The Union Iobb daring the siege was reported to be 4,686.
'WITHIN A FEW FEET OF THE ENEMY'
XXThbn Grant, before Vicksburg, realiz-
" ' ing that the men of his army
were filled with the conviction that they
could capture the city by assault, consent-
ed to make the last supreme effort in that
direction, it was decided to begin the
assault on the 22d of May, 1863.
A rush along the entire line of invest-
lent was planned, all officers setting their
me with that of General Grant so that
e attempt might be simultaneous, and
.en the appointed hour arrived the en-
e Union Army moved forward. It was
during this assault that the following
members of the Chicago Mercantile Bat-
tery won their Medals of Honor : Captain
Patrick H. White, Corporal James Dunne,
and Privates Charles Kloth, George Kret-
singer, Patrick McGuire and William G.
Stephens.
Bom m Kfw York. i>e«mb.r. Captain White narrates the occurrence
himself in these words ;
"The raoruing of May 22d, at 10 A. M., was set for the grand assault. At 3 o'clock
A. M. the cannonading began from the'land side. Every available gun was brought
to bear on the works. The bombardment this day was the most terrible during the
siege and continued without intermission until nearly 11 o'clock, while our sharp-
shooters kept up such a galling fire that the rebel cannoneers could seldom rise to
load their pieces.
"The artillery of McClemand's Thirteenth Corps had succeeded in breaching
several points of the enemy's works, silencing five or six guns and exploding four
caissons, and at 10 o'clock the column moved to the assault. About twelve o'clock
I received a note frora'General Smith to bring two guns down the ravine, to go up
to the breastworks and hammer down a fort. The general concluded his note
with: 'We shall be inside the rebel works in half an hour.'
" In order to ascertain the nature of the ground, I went up the gully to the fort
and discovered a lunette in their works on the Balding's Ferry Road, with a twenty-
fooi- pounder covering that approach. On the top of the fort they had piled cotton
bales. In building this fort they covered half of the road with efurth, so t^ere was
FATKIOK H. WHITE.
Csptain, Chlcaso Mercant
BBtlpry, Lt. Art.
Born In IretsDd.ln issa.
WILLUH O. STEPHENS.
Frlvan-, Chleaao M
BallPH'.Et-A
space enough for only one gun. I got a detail from the Eighty-third Indiana
Infantry, and with ropes we dragged one gun ap to within a few feet of the breast-
works by hand, the infantry carrying the ammunition in their arms. We used
shrapnel, with fuses cat so close that the shells exploded almost as soon as they left
the gun. The first dischai^e was simultaneous with that of the enemy, striking
their gun in the muzzle and scattering death among their gunners. I never saw a
gun loaded and fired so fast. Every man was at his best. They did not take much
care in sponging, and once or twice the gun was prematurely discharged. We
disabled the enemy's gun and set the cotton bales on fire, and they abandoned the
fort for twenty minutes, thinking it was undermined.
That was the time for our infantry to pass iii, but we
did not know it then. The rebels returned and
threw water on the cotton bales, but our guns blew
the latter to pieces. An Irishman of the Eighty-
third called out: 'Be gad, captain, there's not a
pound of them left. I'll go and get you another load of
ammunition.' As he stepped off the road to go down
the gully, a shot from the Seventeenth Ohio Battery
cut off his right arm.
"The Seventeenth had taken a position in our old
place in the road near the First United States
Infantry, but the latter stopped them fx'om doing
further damage. General Smith told me that Quinby's
Brigade was coming to support us, so I told the
drivers of the guns and limbers that lay
here, to get back to where they
came from at full speed, and,
should they meet with an
accident, not to stop, but
keep going. When part
way up the hill a shell
passed between the
swing and wheel driv-
ers, and exploded on
the other side of them,
throwing the swing
driver on his face in
the saddle ; another shot
went under the gun.
"My four guns opened
with a terrific fire from their
position back on the ridge and
— 190 —
they saw the troops fall back from the breast-works. Overhead in the ravine the
air was black with projectiles of all descriptions from friend and foe. I thought it
was time to see how the four guns were getting along, and to do this it was neces-
sary to go back over the slope of the ridge. I had not gotten half way to the top
when minnie balls dropped around me as thick as grasshoppers. I retraced my
steps a short distance, and then obliqued around the ridge where it ended abruptly.
When the men saw me they cheered. After dark Sergeant Throop brought the
gun off safely, and it was as hot as a live coal. For a week after the assault we
slept by our guns, occasionally firing through the nights. For two weeks our horses
did not have their harness off."
General Grant sent an account of. the operations before Vicksburg to Field-
Marshal Count Von Moltke. The count read it, marked the passage which told of
this incident and sent the description to his chief of ordinance. The latter returned
the book with the remark : " Never was such a brave deed done in all the wars of
Europe."
THE "FORLORN HOPE" AT VICKSBURG
FOR superb gallantry and reckless indifference to death and danger, there is
nothing in military history to excel the conduct of the "forlorn hope" that led
the general assault on Vicksburg on May 22, 1863. General Grant had encircled the
city on three sides with a line of battle twelve miles long, and on the Mississippi,
which formed the fourth side, were Admiral Porter's warships. The strength of the
enemy had been greatly underestimated, and it was decided to make an attempt
to carry the city by storm, in order to avoid the tedium of a siege. The enemy's
lines ran along the top of a bluff, and the point of attack selected was to the south
of one of the forts. This fort, which was protected by a ditch twelve feet wide and
five or six feet deep, rose about ten feet above the level and sloped up gently
towards the enemy's guns. The face of the fort was perpendicular, the earth
having been tamped, instead of being allowed to adjust itself. The point of attack
was in front of the Second Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and on the
afternoon of May 21st, each regimental commander of the division explained the
plan of operations to his men and called for volunteers. One hundred and fifty
men were required for a "forlorn hope" to lead the general assault and prepare the
way for the real attack. As these men would be certain to draw the enemy's fire,
there was little probability of any of them returning alive, and on that account it
was decided not to order any man to go, but to depend entirely on volunteers.
Each regiment was to supply its quota, and in view of the terrible risk to be
incurred, orders were given that none but unmarried men were to be accepted.
The men responded promptly to the call, and in such numbers that twice as many
volunteered as were required, those who had first offered their services being accepted.
■ If- I— A— a*i*a^^i~» • Hi ,,h»mi»mS^m^t^„m^jmias.^Js,^,m»^-s;s^^^^f^m^mi^ai^^t,i^--^^.^^
— 191 —
The work assigned to the "forlorn hope" was to build a bridge over the ditch
which protected the front of the enemy's fort, plant their scaling ladders against
the embankment, and it was expected that by the time this was done, the support-
ing brigades would be ready to carry the works by a grand assault.
On the following morning the storming party was led through a ravine to the
Jackson Road, which crossed the enemy's lines at right angles. In this ravine, out
of sight of the enemy, was a pile of roughly hewn logs, another of lumber, and a
number of scaling ladders. The advance party was to carry the logs, two men to
each log, make a dash for the enemy's entrenchments and throw the logs across
the ditch to form the ground work of a bridge. The second detachment was to
follow close up with the lumber, which was to be thrown across the logs to make
sure footing for the stormers. The third detachment was to bring up the scaling
ladders, rush across the bridge, and plant them against the enemy's works.
The moment the "forlorn hope" emerged from the ravine, they came within
view of the enemy, who opened so heavy a fire on them that their works were
covered with clouds of smoke. The gallant little band advanced at a dead run, but
in the eighty rods of open ground which lay between them and the fort, about half
of them were shot down. When the survivors arrived at the ditch, they found it
impossible to build a bridge, as so many of the logs had been dropped by the way,
and it was equally impossible to remain where they were, exposed to the enemy's fire.
There was nothing for it but to jump into the ditch, and seek shelter. Private
Howell G. Trogden, who carried the fiag of the storming party, planted it on the
parapet of the fort, and dropped back into the ditch, where he kept up a fire on the
Confederates whenever they attempted to reach it and take it in.
The other brigades advanced to the support of the stormers, but were driven
back by the heavy fire, and all that reached the ditch were thirty men of the
Eleventh Missouri with a colonel, major, and two lieutenants. They planted their
flag along side that of the storming party, and sought shelter where they could, in
the ditch, or in holes dug in the embankment. The Confederates finding it impos-
sible to depress their guns sufficiently to reach them, dropped 12-pounder shells
among them, but the fuses were cut too long, and consequently did not explode for
*
about ten seconds. This gave the stormers time not only to get out of the way, but
even to toss some of the shells back over the parapet, otherwise not a man would
have survived. As it was, the bottom of the ditch was strewn with mangled bodies,
with heads and limbs blown off.
The Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteers, who were advancing to the support, be-
came panic-stricken and broke. The men lay down in the road, and sought shelter
behind rocks and inequalities of the ground. They refused to either advance or
retire, and lay there for hours, blocking the way of the regiments which were
coming up behind, thus compelling them to make a long detour, and deliver their
attack on the left of the enemy^s position. While making this detour, they were
exposed to the fire of the enemy for nearly the whole distance, and were ao weak-
ened in consequonce, that they failed in their attack.
The assault had now failed at every point, althnngh Admiral Porter's ships had
kept up a heavy bombardment, and the Federal troops were obliged to withdraw
and seek cover, from which they kept up a heavy and well sustained fire. All this
time the men in the ditch, unable to either retreat or advance, held their position
with the utmost tenacity and weakened the fire of the rebel guna by shooting down
the gunners. In order to dislodge them, a gun loaded mth ^ra,^ ■«%& ftsi^sja^'vi *
— 194 —
position where it would enfilade the ditch, but sharpshooters shot down the gunners,
before a single round could be fired. Others attempted to take their places, but it
was certain death to approach the gun, and it was abandoned.
All day long, from 10 o'clock in the morning until darkness fell, the unequal
fight went on ; then the little body of survivors crept out of the ditch, carrying with
them their flags, riddled with bullets, and made their way back to their own lines.
Of the storming party eighty-five per cent were either killed or dangerously
wounded, and few of them escaped without a wound of some kind.
When the storming party withdrew, they left behind them William Archinal,
who had been stunned by a fall, and who was afterwards captured by the enemy.
Archinal and another man had been carrying a log between them, and had neared
the ditch, when his comrade was shot. His sudden fall and the consequent dropping
of his end of the log, threw Archinal to the ground, where he struck his head against
a stone a ad he became unconscious. His adventure is best told in his own words ;
he says :
"When I came to my senses, I was lying on my face with the log across my body
and showers of bullets whistling through the air and dropping all aroimd me.
These bullets I found, came from my own division, and to save myself from being
shot by my own comrades, I wriggled from under the log, and got it between me and
them. It was providential for me that I did so, for I could hear the bullets striking
the log in dozens. Sometime during the afternoon one of our cannon balls struck
the log close to my head; the log bounded in the air and fell a little way from me, but
I crawled up to it again and hugged it close. The firing continued incessantly all
day until nightfall, when it gradually slackened, and finally died away altogether.
I thought I could make my way back to my regiment, but as I was rising the butt
of my gun which was slung on my back, attracted the attention of the enemy above
me. Half a dozen rifles were pointed at me, and I was ordered to surrender, which
I did, considering discretion the better part of valor.
" When I was taken into the fort, a rebel officer came up to me, slapped me on
the shoulder, and said : ' See here, young man, weren't you fellows all drunk when
you started this morning ? ' I replied : * No Sir. ^ * Well, they gave y.ou some whiskey
before you started, didn't they ?' he said, and I answered: 'No Sir, that plan is not
practised in our army.'
"* Didn't you know it was certain death,' he asked me again, and I replied: *Well,
I don't know, I am still living.'
" * Yes,' he said, * You are living, but I can assure you that very few of your com-
rades are.'
"I was then placed in charge of a guard, taken to the city and put into the yard
of the jail where I met some fifty or sixty of our men, taken at different points
during the day. The jail yard was enclosed by a high brick wall with large syca-
more trees gi'owing inside. I was nearly dead from fatigue, so immediately crawled
into one of the tents put up for our accommodation, and was on the point of drop-
THIS GAVE TIME TO T088 SOME OF THE SHELLS BACK."
— 196—
ping off to sleep, when onr mortar boats on the Louisiana shore opposite Vicksburg,
opened fire on the city, throwing their 450-pound fuse shells promiscuously all over.
Of course, there was no sleep for us that night, and just about daylight one of those
shells struck the jail, the roof of which was covered with slate. I made a jump for
one of the sycamore trees, but before I reached it, a piece of slate from the roof cut
the rim of my hat in front of my face as clean as though it had been done by a razor.
"A southern man, suspected of being in sympathy with the Union cause, was
located in one of the cells, and when this shell burst in the lower part of the jail, the
poor fellow was nearly scared to death. He clung to the iron grating of the window
and prayed to God that Grant might come that very minute, and take the God-for-
saken city and everybody in it.
"About nine o'clock A. M. an officer came and took our parole, and then with a
small detachment of rebel guards, we were marched down to the river in front of the
city. The guard intended to escort us to the Louisiana side and deliver us to our
own men, but our mortar boats, suspecting this to be merely a ruse of the rebels, and
fearing an attack, opened fire on us, dropping big shells all around us into the river.
We pushed off in yawls as quickly as possible, and after getting out a little way we
did not fear them, as they could not elevate the mortars sufficiently to do us any
harm. Thus after many narrow escapes I reached our own lines in safety, a pa-
roled prisoner, having been under fire ten hours and in captivity about twelve."
Uriah H. Brown was one of the section that carried the logs. His captain was
shot dead at his side and his lieutenant dangerously wounded, but he kept on till he
reached the ditch. He threw his log across, but found it too short to reach to the
other side. While considering what he could do he was shot down and tumbled into
the ditch. When he came to his senses and found the enemy dropping shells into
the ditch among the wounded men, he set to work to drag them into sheltered posi-
tions. He had got three of the wounded into a safe place, when one of the officers
forbade him to expose himself any longer. He lay quiet for a time, but the longmg
to get back came over him and he climbed out of the ditch and crawled for fifty yards
exposed to the terrible fire, till he found a place of safety behind a little knoll. Two
wounded men were lying near by, moaning in pain, and he crept out and dragged
them under cover, gave them water and lay down beside them till nightfall, when
he assisted them back to their own lines.
Corporal Robert Cox, Company K, Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, gives a humorous
description of his experience at the assault:
"After Trogden had planted his fiag on the parapet, the Confederates tried to
capture it by hooking it in with the shanks of their bayonets, but failed, owing to the
hot fire kept up by the sharpshooters. Thereupon Trogden asked me for my gun to
give the enemy a thrust. This was a very foolish request, for no soldier ever gives
up his gun, but I concluded to try it myself. I raised tny head again about as high
as the safety of the case would permit, and pushed my gun across the intervening
space between us and the enemy, gave their bayonets a swipe with mine, and dodged
down just in time to escape being riddled. I did not want any more of that kind of
amusement, so did not undertake to force the acquaintance any further. After we
had been in this predicament about two hours, they sent o\rer a very pressing invita-
tion to 'Come in, you Yanks. Come in and take dinner with us.^ We positively
declined, however, unless they would come out and give us a chance to see if the
invitation were genuine. This they refused to do, but agreed to send a messenger.
By and by it arrived in the shape of a shell, which went flying down the hill without,
however, doing us any damage."
Jacob Sanford, commissary-sergeant. Fifty-fifth Illinois Infantry, tells that while ,
with the storming party, he came out with no injury more serious than a sprained
hip caused by grape shot striking the plank he was carrying. He had been very
near death more than once, however, for he had two bullet holes through his hat,
nine through his blouse. The bullets in passing through his hat, had carried away
locks of hair with them in their course.
The names of the surviving heroes whose courage and bravery was fittingly
recognized by a grateful country by the award of the Medal of Honor are as
follows :
Cfiribttan Albert,
Private, Co. G, 47th Ohio Inf.
Clinton L. Armstrong,
Private, Co. D, 83d Ind. Inf.
William H. Babrinoer,
Private, Co. F, 4th W. Va. Inf.
Thomas A. Blasdell,
Corporal, Co. H, 83d Ind. Inf.
Emmer Bowen,
Private, Co. C, 127th 111. Inf.
Henry G. Buhrman,
Private, Co. H, 64th Ohio Inf.
William Campbell,
Corporal, Co. I, 30th Ohio Inf.
William H. Chisman,
Sergeant. Co. I, 83d Ind. Inf.
Carlos N. Colby,
Sergeant, Co. G, 97th 111. Inf.
James S. Cunningham,
Private, Co. D, 8th Mo. Inf.
Martin K. Davis,
Sergeant, Co. H, 116th 111. Inf.
David F. Day,
Private, Co. D, 57th Ohio Inf.
Richard W. DeWitt,
Sergeant, Co. D, 47th Ohio Inf.
David Dickie,
Sergeant, Co. A, 97th lU Inf.
John N. Eckes,
Private, Co. E, 47th Ohio Inf.
John H. Fisher,
Ist. Lieut., Co. B, 55th 111. Inf.
James E. Flynn,
Sergeant, Co. G, 6th Mo. Inf.
Fbakz Frxy,
Corporal, Co. H, 87th Ohio Inf
Nicholas Geschwind,
Captain, Co. F, 116th HI. Inf.
Thomas Guinn,
Private, Co. D, 47th Ohio Inf.
David H. Helms,
Ist Sergt., Co. B, 83d Ind. Inf.
James Henry,
Sergeant, Co. B, 113th 111. Inf.
Lewis T. Hunt,
Private, Co. H, 6th Mo. Inf.
William John,
Private, Co. E, 37th Ohio Inf.
Elisha Johns,
Corporal, Co. B, 113th 111.' Inf.
David Johnston,
Private, Co. K, 8th Mo. Inf.
David Jones,
Lieut., Co. I, 54th Ohio Inf.
Joseph S. Labill,
Private, Co. C, 6th Mo. Inf.
James W. Larrabee,
Sergeant, Co. I, 55th 111. Inf.
William H. Longshore,
Private, Co. D, 30th Ohio Inf.
James M. McClelland,
Private, Co. B, 55th HI. Inf.
Andrew McCormack,
Sergeant, Co. 1, 127th 111. Inf.
Edward McGinn,
Private, Co. F, 54th Ohio Inf.
Wilson McGk)NAGLE,
Private, Co. B, 30th Ohio Inf.
Jacob C. Miller,
Sergeant, Co. Q, 118th 111. Inf.
Jerome Morford,
Private. Co. K. 65th 111. Inf.
Jasper N. North,
Private, Co. D, 4th W. Va. Int
Jacob H. Overturp,
Private, Co. K, 83d Ind. Inf.
Joel Parsons,
Private, Co. B, 4th W. Va. Inf.
William Reed,
Private, Co. H, 8th Mo. Inf;
Louis Kennioer,
Private, Co. H, 37th Ohio Inf.
Frederick Rock,
Private, Co. H, 37th Ohio Inf.
Benjamin W. Schenk,
Corporal, Co. D, 116th 111. Inf.
Andrew Schmauch,
Private, Co. A, 30th Ohio Inf.
Christian Schnell,
Corporal, Co. C, 37th Ohio Inf.
Reuben Smalley,
Private, Co. F, 83d Ind. Inf.
William Steinmetz,
Private, Co. G, 83d Ind. Inf.
James C. Summers,
Private, Co. H, 4th W. Va. Inf
William Toomer,
Sergeant, Co. F, 127th 111. Inf.
Howell G. Trooden,
Private, Co. D, 8th Mo. Inf.
JoitN Warden,
1st Lieut., Co. E, 55th HI. Inf
Richard H. Wood,
Captain, Co. A, 97th 111 Inf.
Joseph Wortick,
Private, Co. A, 8th 3^. Inf.
"COME ON, YOU BRAVE YANK '
THOIUB H. KIOaiKS.
Bora lu Frstikllii i
THE assault upon that part of the works of
Vicksburg, occupied by the Twenty-
Second Texas, vras made by the Eighth and
Eighteenth Indiana, First United States
Regulars and the Thirty-third and Ninety-
ninth Illinois, in the order named. Regard-
ing the assault, Captain A. C. Matthews, of
the Ninety-ninth Illinois, says: "I was in
command of the color company on May 22,
1863. The color bearer had been wounded
a few days before and was not on duty that
morning. Private Thomas H. Higgins, a
big, strong, athletic Irishman, solicited the
privilege of carrying the flag for the day. I
gave him permission and handed over the
standard to him, telling him not to stop un-
til he got into the Confederate works. He
obeyed this order literally."
The manner in which Private Higgins
carried out the order of his superior officer,
cannot i>o more fittingly recountml and with greater credit to the brave color bearer
than by Charlej! I. Evans, an ex-Confedenito soldier of the Second Texas, who says:
"After a most terrific cannonading of two hours, during which the very earth
rockeil and pul^ted like a thing of life, the head of the charging colnmn appeared
above tho brow of the hill, about 100 yards in front of the breast works, and, as line
after line of blue came in sight over the hill, it presented the grandest spectacle the
eye of a soldier ever l>eheld. The Texans were prepared to meet it however, for, in
addition to our Spriugtield rifles, each man was provided with five additional
smooth-twre muskets, chat^eil with buck and ball.
"When the first line was within fifty paces of the works, the order to fire ran
along the trenches, and was responded to as from one gun. As fast as practiced
hands wuld gather them up. one after another, the muskets were brought to bear.
The blue lines vanished amid fearful slaughter. There was a cessation in the firing.
And behold, through the t>all of smoke which enshrouded the field, a Union flag
could be -joeti approaching.
"As the smoke was slightly lifted by the gentle May breeze, one lone soldier ad-
vauceil, bravely l)eariug the tlag towanls the breast works. At least a hundred men
took deliberate aiiu at him. and fired at pom.t-btauk range, but he never ^tered.
Stumbliug over the bodies of his fallen comrades, he continued to advance. Snd-
denly, as if with one impulse, every Confederate soldier within sight of the Union
color hearer seemed to be seized with the idea that the man ought not to he shot
down like a dog. A hundred men dropped their guns at the same time; each of
them seized his nearest neighhor by the arm' and yelled to him: 'Don't shoot at
that man again. He is lt)0 bi-ave to be killed that way,' when he instantly
discovered that his neighl)or was yelling the same thing at
him. As soon as they all understood one another, a
hundred old hats and caps went up into the air,
their wearers yelling at the top of
their voices: 'Come on.
you brave Yank,
come on ! '
"ONE
LON£
SOLDIER
IDVANCED."
"He did
come, and was
taken by the hand
and pulled over the
breast works, and when it
was discovered that he was
not even scrat^-hed, a hundred
Texans wrung his hands and con-
gratulated him upon his miraculous
escape from death. That man's name was
Thomas J. Higgins, color ))earer of the Ninety-
ninth lllinoi.s."
Private Higgina was then taken before General Pem-
berton, the rebel commander, who asked him where General Grant's
headquarters were.
"I do not know, as he is moving them every day, but they will be here
tomorrow," came the ready response from the quick witted Irishma.'ii..
"How many men has your general got?" the rebel leader inquired.
"Oh, not many, only about seventy-five thousand," Higgins replied.
"How far back do his lines extend?"
"As far as Cairo, Illinois, and they are still being formed in the state of Maine."
"Weil," General Pemberton observed sarcastically, "we'll have Grant in here as
a prisoner tomorrow."
"I know," was the doughty Yankee soldier's reply, "General Grant will come in
here tomorrow to ship you and your command to Altona, Illinois, where he has a big
boarding house."
At this General Pemberton got angry. "Sergeant," he exclaimed, "take this
man away. He is insulting. He is impudent He is insolent."
Thereupon Private Higgins was led away, a few days later paroled, exchanged,
and subsequently he returned to his regiment, where he remained until the end of
the war.
His Medal of Honor was awarded him at the request of the very Confederates
who captured him at the assault.
A STAFF OFFICER'S PLUCK
A T 2 P. M. of the 22d," First Lieutenant Meno-
'*■ men O'Donnell narrates, " orders were given
for the second charge on Vicksburg, to be led by
the Second Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Army
Corps, commanded by General Joseph A. Mower.
The Eleventh Missouri led the advance. The'
enemy's guns had been booming for some time, but
as soon as the Union advance was seen coming over
the bluff, the fire seemed to double its former
strength and fury. The ground was covered with
the dead and wounded, and, not seeing my colors
I felt like one lost in the wilderness. I called out:
'Where is the flag of the Eleventh Missouri ? ' A captain of an Ohio company
answered: 'Lieutenant, your flag is over there!' then pointing still farther to
the left he s;iid : ' And the head of your regiment is at the fort.' I soon found
the flag, and called all of the Eleventh Missouri, mthin sound of my voice, to come
forward to the colors. Only forty-four appeared. I exhorted the boys to follow
me to the foit. The color sergeant refused to carry the flag. Just as I was about
to reach for it, brave Corporal Warner stepped forward, grabbed the flag, and to
MENOKBH O'DOMHBLL.
iBt LleulPnsnt.Co. A. nth M1>i3ourl Volun.
li'iT infuntrj'.
nullPst rank allaliipii: CHptiiln.
Bom In TrlmlHirl]'. Irvlaiid, .Vprll ilU, 1830.
the fort it went with us. It was raised, bnt soon shot down, only to be again put
up and floated on the rebel fort until dark. Twenty-four of the forty-four got to the
fort. After arriviDg there we could do nothing but sit with our backs to the wall
until darkness came, when under cover of the night, we finally got out, and safely
returned to camp,"
Shortly after the fall of Vicksburg, Lieutenant O'Donnell was detailed on
General Mower's staff, served with him in his campaign directed against Fort
De Russy, La., where he voluntary took a place in the ranks of an assaulting
column, and was twice wounded during the engagement, deferring to this action,
the lieutenant says: " Returning from a reconnoisance, in which, with a few
mounted orderlies, I had taken twenty prisoners, with some supply wagons, I found
General Mower with the command, about two miles from the fort. The general
said to me: 'Captain, I have received orders to go into camp; what do you say?'
"'General, it is not for me to say what to do,' I answered.
"'I wish you would give me your opinion,' he persisted.
"'General,' I replied, 'if I were in your place, I would capture Fort DeRussy be-
fore evening. If we don't, the enemy will be gone before daylight,' 'Just my own
opinion,' General Mower said, requesting me to take a brigade, and open fire,
which was the signal for a general charge. Subsequently I led the Twenty-fourth
Missouri of Colonel Shaw's Brigade against the enemy. There was some hard fight-
ing, but at 6:80 P. M. we were in possession of the fort"
A FLAG THE REBELS DIDN'T GET
"At ten o'clock on the morning of May 22d,at
'^ Vicksburg, our brigade captured a fort,
together with a number of prisoners. The colors
of the Forty-eighth Ohio and Seventy-seventh
Illinois Infantry, were ordered to be planted on
the fort, which was done by Sei^eant Dave Vote
and one of the Illinois men.
"We were then in a very desperate position,
and, in addition to the enemy's fire, received some
of the shells of our own batteries, which fell short
of their mark. To relieve myself somewhat of
this uncomfortable situation, I unfixed my bay-
onet and dug a little trench near the top of the
works, close by our fiag. An Illinois man crawled
beneath me, into an excavation caused by the explosion of a shell. We arranged
that he should reload our guns, while I continued firing at tbia waRpm^ ■^V'svi.'a^^x ^s^^
I8A10 H. OABKBH.
of them would come within my sight and range. This lasted several hours, when,
the rebels brought a battery to bear on my position, and, for some time the sheila
were singing their song so dangerously near to my head, that my position became
hardly tenable. A little later the enemy began massing troops at this point. I was
able to distinctly hear their commands and see their numerous bayonets. Then I
thought it high time
to notify our officers of
the danger our flag
was in. I noticed that
our men were some
distance behind, in the
ditch, but determined
to rescue the flag,
rushed back, and re-
ceived from Captain
Posegate, the permis-
sion to get it, if pos-
sible. I seized it none
too soon, for the ter-
rific assaultcame
sooner than I had ex-
pected.
"I reached the top
of the bastion and grasped
the Ohio flag ; the Illinois stand-
ard could not be saved. How I got
down and paced the hundred ]
to our ditch, through all that tre-
mendous fire, I cannot tell. In my great
haste I ran right into the bayonet of
one of my own company, who was then in
charging position, driving its entire length into
my leg and thigh. Although I almost dropped into a faint,
I had enough presence of mind to run the shaft of the flag
into the dust and hang on to it. My comrades pulled me
down into their ditch and got the bayonet out of my leg.
I was then taken to the rear."
Besides the exploit which Corporal Isaac H. Carmen here
describes, he also saved the lives of a number of his comrades, by seizing a shell
with a burning fuse, and throwing it back to the rebels, whence it came, slaughter-
ing them with their own weapon of death, intended for the Union men.
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'LAY HIM IN THE SHADE; HE WON'T LAST LONG'
BBHJAKIK F. HILtllBB.
4.Y.,Maf3S,l8tt.
r\s THE morning of May 22, 1863, the Eighth
^^ Wisconsin Infantry was sent on a reconnoi-
sance to Chickasaw Bluffs and had proceeded to a
point near Mechanicsburg, Miss., when the enemy
was discovered in force. It was a time and occa-
sion when every available man was needed, so that
Benjamin F. Hilliker, though mustered as a drum-
mer, of Company A, asked for a gun and volunteered
to go on the skirmish hne. He was known to be a
fine shot and brave, therefore his offer was accepted.
As to what followed is told by the young drummer
himself as follows :
" During the skirmishing near Mechanicsbut^, I
was still company drummer, but I exchanged my
drum for a gun, as I had done on former occasions,
and went into the fight with my company. Fear
in battle never seemed to unnerve me. I felt better at the front in the heat of the
fight than I did at the rear.
"When the fight I mention was becoming interesting, I, with comrade John
Horton, advanced about eight rods in front of our line to get a clear view of the
Confederate line, and in this we were satisfied, for when we reached the top of a low
hill, we were within sis or eight rods of the Confederates. My comrade was near my
side when we came within this range of the enemy, and we both raised our rifies
together to fire. Horton's gun rang out sharply, but mine snapped or missed fire,
which placed me in an awkward position. Horton covered himself to the right
behind a tree and I jumped into a surface sand pit to the left. While recapping
my gun, something occurred that seemed to me like a terrific explosion.
" It proved to be a Minie ball passing through my head. It entered at the base
of the mastoid process, tore through my head, and passed out at the left nostril.
The first words I heard after that unpleasant incident were: ' Lay him in the shade
over there — he won't last long.' But I have lasted, though I have to carry around a
bad looking face where good looks might have served me better."
The Eighth Wisconsin, of which Drummer Hilliker was a member, was known
throughout the war as the " Live Eagle Begiment." Its mascot was a live bald
eagle, famous as " Old Abe," which was carried during all the marches and engage-
ments on a perch, surmounting the Union shield. At the end of the war the eagle
was presented to the state of Wisconsin, in the custody of which the historical bicA
died sixteen years later.
DROPPED THE PEN, SHOULDERED THE MUSKET
/^wiHo to a frail physique, Private Henry T. Johns, after enlisting, was made
^*-' quartermaster's clerk, hence did not share in a good many of the rougher duties
of a soldier. On May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, however, volunteers were called for,
to chaise on the enemy's works — a so-called " Forlorn Hope." A genuine forlorn
hope it proved to be.
" Ignoring my privilege to keep out of the fight," Private Johns says, " I volun-
teered as one of a squad of fifty. According to orders we marched towards a rise of
ground, from which we were to charge on the enemy's ranks. It was the most
peculiar charge that I have ever heard of. There was no sudden rush, no cheering,
nor the usual din of a general charge. We were merely follovring orders without
confidence of success, yet determined to do our best. The plan was a failure in con-
ception and execution. We had to charge over three-quarters of a mile of open
country, exposed to the fierce fire of the enemy, and then climb the enemy's
breastworks. But we never reached it. I ran on, knowing that my comrades were
dropping on every side of me. Nevertheless we pressed forward until, seeing that
to go farther would be useless and only mean death, we retreated."
Three others. Privates Frederick M. Deland, James W. Strong, and Francis E.
Warren, also received the Medal of Honor for participating and distinguishing
themselves in this same assault.
FRUSTRATED THE
ENEMY'S PLANS.
PEiVATB William L. S. Tabor, of Com-
pany K, Fifteenth New Hampshire
Infantry, in describing the part he played
at the siege of Port Hudson, where the
Union forces so determinedly, though un-
successfully, laid siege and assaulted the
Confederates, says :
"During the siege of Port Hudson in
1868, it was necessary to undermine the
enemy's works, and for this purpose a
large number of negroes was set to work
digging a trench under the rebel fortifications, and protected by our sharpshooters
who were supplied with hand-grenades, to be thrown over the parapets. The sand
WILLIAK L. B. TABOR,
from ih.e trench was thrown over the breastworks, for there was no place to dispose
of it on our side. ^ This exposed our men to the fire of the rebels, and I was one of
the men detailed as sharpshooters to prevent the rebels from doing further damage.
We were under a scathing fire all this time, as the enemy were enabled to enfilade
our ranks, and with their shot and shell did mnoh damage. One of their contri-
vances for throwing shells amongst our men, was to place short fuse shells into a
trough, constructed of planks, lift up one end of it, thus lowering the other end over
our works, and drop the shells into our ranks.
"IJERKEO IT tNTO OUR LINES."
"The first time they attempted this they succeeded in killing and wounding
125 men, mostly negroes, who were engaged in shovelling. Just as they were
putting a second shell in the trough, I jumped up on the sand bags which formed
our breastworks, slipped a noosed rope around the trough, and jerked it into oUr lines.
" This resulted in throwing the shell the other way, falling among the rebels and
exploding there. While slipping the rope around the trough I was necessarily ex-
posed to the full view of the rebel sharpshooters but I did it so quickly and unex-
pectedly, that for a moment not a shot was fired. Just as I jumped down, the rebels
opened up and the air was full of bullets, but just a moment too late to do me v:^^
harm."
BRAVE AND RESOURCEFUL
V°'
KABOUS A. HASITA,
/oLUNTAKiLT exposed himself to a heavy fire to
get water for comradea in rifle pits." This is
the inscription on the Medal of Honor, the proud
bearer of which is Marcus A. Hanna, sergeant of
Company B, Fiftieth Massachusetts Infantry.
The incident occurred at Port Hudson, on
July 4, 1863, and serves not only to illustrate
the hero's feeling for his suffering comrades,
but his courage and resourcefulness as well.
Sergeant Hanna gives a detailed description of
the occurrence, as follows :
"While our forces were closely investing
Port Hudson, four days before its surrender,
the Fiftieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
was ordered into the rifle-pits to support a
New York battery. It was early in the morn-
ing, and we had just been relieved from similar
duty, performed during the night. The men went back to the pita without having
tima to replenish their haversacks or canteens. The day was intensely hot and
by noon the men were suffering from thirst. How to get water was a problem, with
the enemy on the alert and posted on works but a short distance from and consider-
ably higher than our position.
" At about 2 or 3 o'clock P. M. the thirst of our men had become almost unbear-
able and Lieutenant William H. Kurd, in command of our company, gave some of
US permission to go to the rear for water. Orderly Sergeant Blatchford and myself
were the only sergeants present that day. ■ I at once volunteered to go, and asked
for a file of men to assist me. No one responded. I decided to try it alone. I took
twelve or fifteen canteens — all I could conveniently carry — hung them about my
neck, and placed them about my body to afford protection from rebel bullets. A
dummy, made by rigging up a musket with a blouse and cap, was prepared, the
Fort Hadson or Hlcke7*H lAndin;;, situated on a bend of the Mississippi River, twenty-two miles above
Baton Rouge, was stronply fortified by the Confederates, and was held in May, 1883, by Colonel Frank
Gardner. It was approached by the combined forces of Generals Sherman, Augur and Banks, assisted by
the fleet under Admiral Farragut, and the first line of works was abandoned by the rebeb on the 35th. An
assault by General Weiteel'a Brigade, on the 27th, resulted in failure. Bombardment by the fleet con-
tinned until the 7th of .Tuly, when Colonel Gardner, hearing of the capture of Vicksburg, by the Union
Army, aiirrcndered with its force of 6,000 men.
Tim Union loss during the siege was about 8,000; the Confederate, 7,308, in killed, wounded, and
pri«oner8.
idea being to raise it above our pit and, if possible, draw the fire of the enemy, and
then, before they had time to reload, I was to take my chances. Carefully we raised
the dummy until the cap only could be seen, then we ducked it out of sight, to
hoist it again at once, this time showing the head and body. The deception was a
success, for at once there came a
heavy volley, and before the
smoke had cleared away, I was
up and off as rapidly as
my light but bulky load
SPRANG FROM THE PIT."
would permit. I steered across the level plains for the nearest cover some 500 yards
away, but I had not gone far, before I could hear the patter of bullets all around
me, and knew that I was within sight and range. Tet, I k^pt on my course,
until about half the distance was covered when I realized that I could not escape
being hit, and bethought myself of the ruse of throwing myself prostrate, as if killed
or badly wounded. The trick was successful. The firing ceased, and, after lying
prone until I was well rested, I sprang to my feet and ran like a deer for the black-
berry hedge. In this second race, no further shots were sent after me by the enemy.
" I went about half a mile further to a spring, filled my load of canteens, not one
of which, in spite of the firing, had been punctured, and began cautiously to work
my way back to my company in the rifle-pits. Instead of making a bee-line for
the pit, I made a detour to the left, in order to bring one of our batteries between
myself and the enemy. After I had reached the battery I had still some sixty or
seventy yards to go to the right, wholly exposed to the enemy's fire. However, I
covered this distance unmolested. Lieutenant Hurd and the men. ■'n^-co^^ tss^-
gratulated me, and expressed gratitude for the ipajUia\ift\\el\V'a^\ixtyo:^'^'Qo.'«aO"'
SEVERE COST OF
SKIRMISHING
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> Jane 14. 1863, the Twelfth West Tiiginia
Infantry left the fortifications at Win-
chester and were marched to a stone wall on
the hills on the opposite side of the Bomney
Road. They enconntered the enemy at the top
of the hills, and immediately an order was
passed along the line to fall back. The greater
part of the regiment obeyed and formed a
line some distance back, leaving a number of
skirmishers at the wall, where they remained
until 4 P. M,, when an advance was ordered.
At this time, Lieutenant James R. Durham,
commanding the skirmishers at the wall, ad-
vanced, cleared the wall, and kept on until he
wai within the linesi of the rebels, who were entrenched behind another wall about one
hundred and fifty yards distant. The lieutenant says in his account of the action :
" We had boon lying behind the stone wall several hours, because to cross it or
even show our heads above it, was certain death. Already three of my men had
been killed while riwing to get a shot. At last, however, we were ordered over
the wall. Turning U} my hoys and shouting a 'Good bye' and 'Come on,' I was
the first one over. We advanced alwut thirty yards, the bullets flying thick and
fast on all RiduH, when I was struck in the right hand. Six or seven of my men
were also woundGd about the same time. Two advanced too far and fearing to
retreat, surrendered.
"I discovered that the line of battle did not intend to advance farther, but
iuHtead took shelter behind the stone walls. I therefore ordered my men back, tak-
ing onr wounded with uh. On our retreat two or three others were wounded. After
regaining onrlines I examined my injuries, and now, for the first time found that my
Wlnrhwtrr. Vn.— (inirrnl KwpII'h ronfiMlpnito Anny, after pntcrinR the Shenandoah Valley, made
n ftin-oil niiin-li In Wiiioli.-pitrr, n'Bchhiji thnt plaoo on the ISth of June, 1863, with the divisions of
.liilml. Kiir!)-. niid Kiiwnrd .lolniHlnii. F.weU'n lliirn were extended overono hundred miles of thecmintry.
Lppf Army. iiiiiliT Mill iiiul l.niiKi'ln'et, i>eein>k'd )MwtIicinii Bt Fft-dericksburp, and Culpepper Court Iloiisi'.
(ii'ti.Tiil llnoliiT iMvniiii' nnliNlli'd that I^ee cnntx'midali'd aji Invasion and he accordingly withdrew
t.iwnnl WnsliiiiKloii. mid l-^wi'll |in'imnHl to invent Wim-hoslor. then held by General Milroy. On the 14ih.
Milniy WHS iiiipriHi'd nf thin movi'iui>iil and after a council of officers, it was decided to ire treat, toward the
ISitioiiniv .Tohimlim nii't Milniy'n fon'i' nboiit four miles from Winchester and dispersed the entire body.
Milniy'i lonn wni nU<ul 4,mt killed, wnunded and made pri»nner».
right hand and forearm were severely shattered. I reported at the hospital and
retreated with the command. The next morning I was obliged to ride forty-five
miles on a bare-backed horse to escape capture, while my wound was still bleeding,
I was unable to report to my regiment for duty for the next aix months."
"I SHOUTED TO MY BOYS; "COMEONl"
A DRAMATIC INCIDENT ON THE BATTLEFIELD
"/^oioiTBL, you are a brave man. You are released from arrest. Here is my own
^ sword. Take it and bring it back to me, red with the enemy's blood."
General Kilpatrick unsheathed his sword and handed it to Colonel Luigi Palma
di Cesnola, while a whole regiment in silent reverence witnessed the impressive
scene. It was just before the battle of Aldie, June 17, 1863. General Kilpatrick had
been sent with his brigade in advance of the main body of the Union troops. The
rebels occupied high ground and were behind rails encircling lai^e stacks of hay.
Their guns were doing considerable damage to the Union cavalry and^Via-QSRw^iG^
to silence or capture them became undent.
LSial TAIMA DI OIlirOLA,
Colonel di Cesnola's r^ment formed part of
General Kilpatrick's brigade. On the rety moming
of the battle an unpleasant episode marred the feel-
ing of comradeship in the Northern ranks. A junior
officer had been promoted over Colonel di Cesnola and
the latter felt offended. He did not attempt to con-
ceal his iojnred feelings, bnt bluntly walked up to
General McGregg and protested against the promo-
tion. For this act of indiscretion he was ordered
under arrest. In the meantime the general ordered a
chaige on the enemy's position. Colonel di Cesnola'a
regiment in a body refused to obey orders. Not a man
would stir unless led by his own, dearly beloved com-
mander. For a second the general was nonplussed,
but for a second only. Colonel di Cesnola gave him
no time to form any conclusion. The honor of his
own regiment was now at stake. Without a moment's
hesitation Kilpatrick rushed at the head of his men,
ordered the charge to be sounded and led his r^-
ment against the rebels. Three times he made an
attempt Ut t^iipiure the Kum on the crest of the hill. Three times he was forced to
retiro,
Gonoral Kiliiatrirk could not observe the d&shing courage of the brave New
Yorkfin* tui'l tlinir fi^arlcHs loiulor and remain unmoved. After the third charge
he st4ippnil ti|i Ui Cnbuitil di Cosnola and addressing him in the language afore
ninnUtitMid, biMidod hiin his own sword.
A f(nirtli cliiirgo was niiulo. Though the guns were not captured, the enemy had
no (IcMirn for fiirtlmr iiUjirks and retreated to a safer position. But the Union troops,
too, ])iud ddiirly for tlin advantage gained, and the gallant New Yorkers especially
mouniivl ovor an alinost irroiuirablo loss. Colonel di Cesnola had been severely
wouiHJiHJ and tak<*ri priNouor. His horse had been killed under him. After nine
montliH conliiuMnoiit at. Libby prisiui he was exchanged, and returned to his colors,
('iilont*! di (Vsnola was a Iwrn soldier and a remarkable man. Of noble family —
ho WHS a count bo \\m Inn'ii in Kivarolo, Italy, June 29, 1832. He entered the Sar-
dinian Army at tbo ago of sixteen, and distinguished himself in the war against
Auslria. Hi* aUo participat-od in tbo Crimean war, at the conclusion of which he
Imdd till' oil! foiitiniMit. fannvoll and crossed the ocean to find a new home and serve
a ni'W I'lMintry mid a nt>w Hag. Uo onttn-cd the service of the Federal Army in 1861,
wllli till' niuk of lii'utoniint-oolonel and a year later received his promotion as
colonel, lit' WHS ouo of those warriors of whom the poet says that they are:
" Kvi'ry inch u soldier."
"HE WAS FOUND UNDER HIS DEAD HORSE."
NARROW ESCAPE WHILE SAVING A COMRADE,
BLDBUtaZ BOBOfBOK,
PiivaU, Co. 0, 13Sd Ohio Vol. Inf.
Bora in llorgiD CkiuoCy, Ohio, Juiiulr; T, ISU.
"'T'hi Romney Pike runs west from
'■ WinchestFer, Virginia, up a ravine
witii hills rising abruptly to the north and
south," Private Eldridge Eobinson writes.
"In the western outskirts of the city, close
to a large walled spring on the north side
of the pike, stands the old Mason House,
of Mason and Slidell fame. Just south of
this, extending from the pike about four
hundred yards up the hill, is an old blue-
grass field, broken with bushy ravines.
Separating this from a clover-field, and
about fifty yards before reaching the top
of the hill, stands a stone fence. The
clover-field extends about four hundred
yards on the south side of the hill to a
deep woody ravine.
"On Sunday morning, June 14, 1863,
the One hundred and twenty-second Ohio
Volunteer Infantry occupied a position
south of the Romney Road, with several of our companies thrown forward as
skirmishers under Lieutenant-Colonel Moses M. Granger. We occupied the crest
of the hill till noon,
" On account of a flank movement, we were ordered to fall back to the stone
fence and join our commands lying behind it. In falling back. Price Worthington
of Co. B, of our regiment, was shot through the body. After we had taken our places
in the regiment, I asked several of the boys to go with me and bring Worthington
off the field. The drum-major agreed to follow me.
"As soon as I reached the crest of tiie hill, I came in range of the rebel skirmish
line, which opened on me with enei^, but hearing Worthington groaning and beg-
ging for help, I pushed on to where he was lying, and, in a short time was joined by
the drum-major. We picked him up, and, amid a 'rain of bullets, of which one hit
the wounded man in the leg, and many cut holes in our clothes, we reached the top
of the hill, when the gunner of a battery about seventy-five yards in the rear of our
line, taking us for the enemy, sent a shell so close to our heads that we were both
thrown to the ground.
"Although much dazed, we soon regained our feet, and, amidst the applause and
congratulations of the officers and comrades of the regiment, placed our wounded
comrade in the ambulance."
— 8W—
THE FIRST UNION FLAG IN VICKSBURG
W^
HEMBT H. TATLOB,
Bergeant, Co. C, «th nl. InOntry.
Bom near Galena, IlllnoU, Jul; 4, 1841
^HEiT Fort Hill, one of the defenses of Vicksbui^,
was undermined and blown up on the 25th of
June, the Forty-fifth Illinois, of which Sergeant Henry
H. Taylor was color-bearer, was the first regiment taken
into the breach by General M. D. Leggett, and fought
there most gallantly until relieved.
According to the statement of General Leggett,
the struggle was desperate. The regimental colors were
bravely supported by Sergeant Taylor, and the first to
be placed on the rebel works, during the siege. In the
assault on the 22d of May, a color bearer, further to the
left of McCIemand's front, had advanced far enough to
plant his flag on, or against the enemy's works. This
achievement, however, was not regarded as the placing
of the Union colors on the rebel works, as they were
not held there.
At Fori Hill, the colors of the Forty-fifth remained
until the line could be extended to another work further to the right, which was
also blown up. Then, as the general saw that he could not hold the position and pre-
vent its reconstruction without remaining in the crater, he withdrew the troops
about seventy-five feet from it, and there maintained his nosition until the surrender
of Vicksburg.
This work was done under the orders of Generals Logan and McPherson. The
mining was done under the immediate guidance and supervision of General A.
Hickenlooper, the corps engineer.
" The Forty-fifth Illinois," says General Leggett, " was the first regiment to march
into Vicksburg, receive the surrender, and hoist the flag on the court house. The
whole of one division went in on the 4th of July, and no other troops. The Forty-
fifth was a part of the first brigade which I had commanded, and it was for its
gallantry in breaking the Confederate line as well as for its other services in the
campaign, that I gave it the front on that day."
Brigadier-General W. R. Rowley reports, concerning the movements of the Forty-
fifth, as follows :
" The honor of leading the entry into the city was accorded to the Forty-fifth
Illinois Infantry, by special request of Major-General McPherson, it having been the
regiment that first occupied the crater, after the blowing up of Fort Hill, or ' Hell,'
as the boys called it. The request was made of General Grant, and I myself saw the
flag of the Forty-fifth on the court house, and know the fact to be as I have stated."
"A MORE GALLANT CHARGE
WAS NEVER MADE "
0-
OHABLSB a. DAVIB.
^N JuHE 27, 1863, during the operations around
Shelbyville, General Sheridan ordered Major
Charles C. Davis with 300 troopers of the Seventh
Pennsylvania Cavalry to make a charge on the
camp of the Fourth Alabama, at Unionville, Tenn.
This camp was composed of no less than 1,000
rebels under command of General Russell of Gen-
eral Forrest's Division. Major Davis entered upon
the execution of this order with alacrity, made the
charge and drove the enemy pell-mell through
their own camp and on to Hickory Hill Church, a
distance of seven miles, taking Hardee's infantry
picket and capturing a wagon train of seventeen
six-mule teams. The gallant major then led his
men back to the rebel camp, seized everything in sight and subsequently was able
to report the complete success of his mission to General Sheridan. The enemy's
loss in killed, wounded and captured was 302 ; the entire camp and garrison equip-
age fell into the possession of Major Davis' little band and all of the personal effects
of the Alabamians were taken, besides $27,000 in Confederate money, which were in
keeping of the paymaster. The success of Major Davis' achievement is the more
brilliant as it was accomplished with the loss of but two killed and one wounded.
No better idea of this remarkable cavalry chaise can be given than by the fol-
lowing account, which Brigadier-General D. S. Stanley gives of it in his report of the
engagement. Says General Stanley :
" The right wing of General Rosecrans' army had driven the left of the Confederate
Army, a division of cavalry commanded by General Wheeler, into the town of
Shelbyville, when Wheeler's force of 8,000 men formed line just at the northern
outskirts of the town to defend their stores.
"A battery of four guns pointing north, commanded the principal turnpike, well
supported by dismounted cavalry, right and left. It was decided to attack the center
SbelbjTilte, Teiu.— -About the middle of June, 1863, General Kosecnms decided to attack Bragg's
foices at Shelbjvillt', and thereby relieTe East Tennessee by driving the Confederates into Georgia. The
advance began on the 23d of June, when McCook's Corpe moved directly upon ShelbjriUe, where demons-
trations were to be made while Crittenden, Thomas and Granger were to move upon the place from
different directions. Several severe encounters were had with the enemy, who were in every instance
defeated. Granger had been joined by Stanley, and together they proceeded to Guy's Gap, which they
took after an hour's engagement. They then moved upon and occupied Shelbyville, which Bragg had
abandonded. The Confederate cavalry under Wheeler were driven across Duck Biver with a lorn of about
600 prisoners and a larga quantity of stores and provisions.
of this line and ride over the battery. The Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry was selec-
ted for the purpose, supported by the Fourth United States Cavalry. The pike being
narrow, the chaise was made in column of fours. Major Davis' position would have
placed him on the right of the second squadron, but he volunteered to lead the
charge and put himself in front of the leading set of fours.
"At the signal of two cannon shots from our guns, the column dashed down the
pike, receiving only one round from the hostile battery, rode over the guns, routed
the supports, and put the entire force opposed, to precipitate and disastrous flight.
THE ENEMY PUT TO DISASTROUS FLIGHT.
The boldness of the attack insured its success. Only one shell struck the column,
killing two men and three horses in the charge. Our captures were 300 prisoners,
the battery complete, and a large amount of stores.
" A. more gallant charge was never made, and Major Davis rode well in front of
the leading sabres, the beau ideal of a trooper."
Major Davis was complimented on the field by General Sheridan. Congress, in
bestowing the Medal of Honor upon the gallant major, characterized the charge as
"one of the most desperate and successful of the war."
CAPTURED A FLAG AND TWO PRISONERS
THOIUB BUBZB,
8ergeu)t, Co. A, Gth New Vork CsTklir.
Born In Ireland, In 1849.
CiFTEEN or sixteen miles due east of Gettysburg
^ is the little village of Hanover, Pa. On the
morning of June 30, 1863, General Kilpatrick
with his Third Division of the Union Cavalry
Corps under Major-General Pleasonton, reached
Hanover and while passing through the little
hamlet, the rear of his column was suddenly
surprised by receiving a sharp fire from a Con-
federate battery posted on a hill. Kilpatrick at
once realized tiiat the object for which he had
been striving — viz. : to keep his force between
Stuart's Confederate cavalry and the Army of the
Potomac — had been accomplished and at once
accepted Stuart's challenge. The fight continued
during the day, resulting in Stuart's falling back
toward York.
Sei^eant Thomas Burke, of Company A, Fifth New York Cavalry, had a thrilling
experience during this fight, of which he says : " We were well worn out by long
continued work in the saddle and the attack was almost a complete surprise ; but
with the first gun my commander, Colonel Hammond, moved us quickly from the
street into an open field where we formed in line for a chaise. Getting the word
we started directly toward the Confederates and we went with such force that the
enemy's line in our front broke and we saw men scattering in every direction. As
we neared the battery which was still being served, I noticed a Confederate
flag and started after it just as Corporal Rickey did the same thing. The colors
were in charge of two mounted men and it was a race. Rickey had gone 200 yards
perhaps, when his horse was shot and thus I was left to go it alone. Meanwhile the
firing was sharp from both sides ; but I gained on my prize and closing in on the
men, as I used my carbine with good effect, I called on them to surrender.
" My command was almost instantly obeyed and I disarmed each man of carbine,
sword and pistol, after which, I rushed them ahead of me as fast as our horses — and
they were very tired — would take us back to our lines. It was a precarious ride of
course, but we got there, flag and all.
" When I took the prisoners, flag and arms to headquarters. General Kilpatrick
complimented me very highly. The colors which I captured were those of the Thir-
teenth Virginia Regiment."
A GRAVE FOR A PILLOW
JAKES M. BttTTSB.
SiEflEAHT Jambs M. Rdttbe of Company C, One-
hundred and forty-third Pennsylvania In-
fantry, describes his experience on the battlefield
of July 1,1863, thus:
" After being in the great fight at Gettysburg
from II o'clock in the morning until four in the
afternoon, my regiment, the one-hundred and
forty-third PennsylTania Infantry, was ordered to
fall back, as we were being surrounded or flanked.
The Eleventh Corps had been routed previously,
leaving our brigade, with the Sixth Wisconsin,
to cover the retreat.
" Lieutenant Kropp of our company called out that it would not do to abandon
Captain Reichard, who had been shot during the retreat, and asked for volunteers to
take him off the field. No one responded. I could not bear to see the captain left
to his fate, so I jumped up — we were all lying down and firing at the rebels in the
railroad cut opposite — and started for him, calling back that I would attempt iiie
task. It was on the Chambersburg Pike, about twenty feet in front of the firing line,
tbat Captain Reichard lay.
" When I reached his side, I asked him if he could walk and he answered : 'Yes.'
I lifted him up and started back to the company. The Minies sang like beea around
our heads. There was a high fence in the rear of our line of battle, which gave me
some trouble, but Sergeant Marcy took the butt of his gun and knocked the two top
rails down. It seemed as if the rebels had made a tai^et of the captain and myself,
and seconds were like hours, as the captain and I finally passed over the fence
Gettysbni^.— At the end of June, 1863, the command of the Union Army, then gathered in the vicinity
of Gettysburg, Pa., wbb transferred from General Hooker to General G«orge G. Meade. He was confronted
by the whole Confederate Army, about 80,000, under Lee, his own force being slightly Bupcrior.
The lighting commenced on July Ist, with a struggle for the poaaeBaion of Sominary Kidge, in which
the Union line was driven from its position, and back to the high grounds. Here, a new line was formed
during the night, reaching from Round Top around to Cemetery Hill, and there to Wolf Hill. To thia
position the whole Union force, except Sedgwiclc'i Corps, was hurried forward.
On the morning of July 2d, Longatreet attacked the Union left under Sickles, and after a terrible
battle, lasting until six o'clock in the evening, the strong position on Great and Little Bound Top remained
in the hands of the Federals. In the center, a similar struggle for the poascaaion of Cemetery Hill, also
resulted in a Union victory. The Union left was somewhat shattered by the Confederate attack.
On the afternoon of the 3d, there was fierce cannonading for nearly three hours. The Confederate
artillery was concentrated against the Union center. A gallant charge, made by the Virginians, under
General Pickett, resulted in failure and fearful slaughter.
The victory remained with the Federals, and Lee was obliged to fall back. His loss in this battle was
over 80,000, that of the Federals, 23,iee.
and along the rear of the firing line. After a few minutes, having gained a little
hill, I thought all danger was past, but I was mistaken, for I got in between the fire
of the rebel batteries and our own near the seminary. As I walked along with
Eeichard, a comrade of my company, George Tucker, walked beside me without his
hat, the blood running down his face. I asked him where he was hit, but he would
not answer and instead turned now and then and started towards the rebels. I would
call him back and tell him not to go that way, or he would be captured. Then he would
turn and come back to me like a child. I soon saw that a ball had parted his hair
in the middle, and that his brain had been affected. "After passing our own batteries,
which were being made ready to
limber up, I had little trouble in
getting into the town, where I left
the captain in a private house, and
where Tucker disappeared. They
both turned up all right, however,
and later rejoined the company.
" After getting Captain Reichard
over the fence, near the Chambers-
bui^ Pike and McPherson's barn,
Lieutenant Kropp immediately de-
tailed George Kindred to help me
carry Reichard to the rear. I ex-
pected to see an ambulance or
stretcher there, but not one was to
be found, nor did I see one, until I
got into Gettysbui^. After leaving
Reichard in the private house, I
saw one or two of our soldiers run-
ning ahead of me. I asked them
why they were running so hurriedly
and they exclaimed : ' Look back
and you'll find out ! '
"Sure enough, there were the
Johnnies right onto me. ' No Libby
Prison for me! ' I thought, and I ran a race down an alley, through fields, and at last
came up to the old cemetery, where the whole runaway Eleventh Corps was massed.
I slept that night in the cemetery, with a grave for a pillow, and never slept sounder.
I supposed that I would have trouble finding the balance of the Old First Corps, but a
staff officer informed me that they were right down under the hill, and there I found
my regiment and answered the roll which was being called.
" Lieutenant Kropp was glad to see me. He had not expected to see the captain
or myself alive again."
"NO LIBBY PRISON FOR ME."
SAVED A CORPS FROM ANNIHILATION
'T'hodoh repulsed early during. the afternoon of
^ July 1, the Confederates soon rallied and
made a most desperate attack upon the Union left,
along Willoughby's Run. The Federals were driv-
en back on all sides. The First Corps which had
sustained the first shock of the fierce assault of
the enemy, formed a new line along Seminary
Ridge, and what remained of its artillery was
posted as advanta^ously as possible. This move-
ment left the extreme left of the Eleventh Corps
uncovered and when, still later in the afternoon,
the Confederates made a second attack upon the
Union forces, the enemy broke through the Fed-
eral center and threw the entire Union line into
disorder. This was the situation of affairs, when,
by assuming a responsibility which he waa in no
way called upon to undertake. Major Alfred J.
Sellers, of the Ninetieth Pennsylvania Infantry,
saved the Eleventh Army Corps from probable
annihilation by repulsing the enemy's attack.
" At the battle of Gettysburg," Major Sellers says, " the Eleventh Corps waa being
forced back by the rebels, who were coming from the north in overwhelming numbers,
and late in the afternoon, July 1, 1863, it gave way, carrying the First Corps along
with it as far as Cemetery Hill. This left the Confederates occupying the principal
part of the town of Gettysburg. Our brigade was on the crown of Oak Ridge, parallel
with Cemetery Ridge, and when the Eleventh Corps gave way, a change of front was
ordered under fire. At such a time celerity of motion is of vital importance, as a
change of front seemingly indicates a reverse, and it is essential to create confidence
in the men as to its object. Although not in command, I rushed to the front,
superintended the movement and quickly established the line in its new and more
advantageous position. This enabled us to pour an effective fire into the ranks of
0 Niel's Alabama Brigade of Infantry, repulsing its attempt to turn the right flank
of the First Army Corps."
ALFRED J. BBLLBBB.
Uajor. eoih Fenn., Infantry.
HIghpBC rank attained'. Colonel.
. at FlumsteadvUle, Bucks County, Peun.
TWO GETTYSBURG HEROES
Qbeqeant Geoeqe W. Roosevelt, of Company K,
^ Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, distin-
guished himself at the battle of Qettysborg on July
2, 1868, by capturing a Confederate color-bearer and
his flag. In one of the numerous charges which
signalized this battle, he came upon the color-bearer,
and covering him with his musket, ordered him to
surrender. The Confederate handed over his flag
and Roosevelt marched him in a prisoner, but before
reaching the Northern lines, Roosevelt got a bullet
in his leg, which brought him to the ground, and
his prisoner escaped. The wound proved a serious
one, and his leg had subsequently to be amputated.
Roosevelt had previously distinguished himself at the batUe of Bull Run in 1862,
by recovering the colors of his regiment which had fallen into the hands of the
enemy. For these two brave deeds he was rewarded by a Medal of Honor.
OBOSGE V. BOOaBVBIT,
latScrgeant. Co, K.Wtb Pennsylvania lot.
KTevee was there a better instance of presence of mind than that displayed by
^ ^ Sergeant Harvey M. Munsell, of Company A, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania
Infantry, on the second day of the battle of Qettysbui^. His regiment was stationed
at the Devil's Den, where some of the fiercest fighting took place, and made a series
of charges, in the course of which all the color-guard were either killed or wounded
with the exception of Munsell, who was the color-bearer.
Another charge was ordered, and Munsell was bearing Old Glory aloft amidst a
storm of bullets, when a shell burst directly in front of him, tearing a big hole in
the ground, and throwing the earth all around. Munsell tumbled headlong into
the hole, and lay there stunned, with the colors under him. His comrades, in the
excitement of the battle, did not notice what had taken place, and believed that
he had been killed and the colors captured. A cry passed through the ranks, the
regiment faltered, came to a stop, and fell back in disorder.
When Munsell came to his senses, he found himself lying close to the enemy's
lines, so close that if they made the slightest advance they would see the flag that
he was shielding with his body, and nothing could save it from capture. If he got
up and tried to make his way back to his regiment, he would assuredly be immedi-
ately shot down by the sharpshooters, and the regimental flag would be equally
certain to become the prize of the enemy. His best chance lay in remaining where
he waa, for he knew that his regiment would soon rally and return to the charge,
and the probability was that the enemy would not make any advance just then.
He was right in his surmise, for the Pennsylvanians, burning at the supposed loss of
tiieir colors, came on with a rush tiiat carried them into the enemy's lines. They
swept right over Mnnsell who, immediately they were past, jumped up and rejoined
his regiment, waving the colors to the breeze.
A MUSKET BUTT ARGUMENT
It was a gallant feat that entitled
' Captain Edward L. Oilligan of the
Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers
to a Medal of Honor. He assisted in
the capture of the colors of the Twenty-
third North Carolina on the first day of
the battle of Gettysburg. Gilligan, who
was first-sergeant at the time thus
describes the aSair :
"Iverson's Brigade of North Caro-
linians had attacked Baxter's Brigade
of the First Corps and been repulsed.
We got the order to charge the retreating enemy and we struck the Twenty-third
North Carolina and captured nearly the entire regiment. Captain Joseph H.
Richard, of my company, singled out the color-bearer of the Twenty-third and had
a hand-to-hand fight with him. The Confederate pluckily held on to the colors and
only gave them up when I reasoned with him with the butt of my musket."
ZSWAKD L. aiLLiaAS.
;jipi"ln.Co E.Wth 1-11. Vols.
n In PWladelpliltt, Apr.ia,U
Another exploit of Captain Gilligan waa performed during General Warren's
raid to destroy the Weldon railroad in December, 1864. Gilligan was then captain
and acting adjutant of the regiment and so was mounted. He says :
" The enemy's cavalry had driven in a squadron of horse which formed our rear
guard and annoyed us considerably before they could be driven off. When I saw
them coming on again, I rode back and made an effort to rally our cavalry, but was ■
unsuccessful. I found myself alone, facing the rebels who were madly charging
after our boys. There was but one way out of it for me. I slipped out of my saddle,
threw myself on' the ground and allowed them to ride over me. I was covered with
mod, but escaped injury. When the rebels once more retired, I rose and made m>
way back to my command. I was able to report to General Baxter the stren^ of
the enemy and we laid a trap for them.
" The Ninth New York Infantry was left in ambuscade by the aide of the road,
and when the rebels came on again, gave them such a hot reception, that they fled
in confusion and did not trouble us any more."
"THE CONFEDERATE PLUCKILY
HELD ON TO THE COLORS."
FORGOT HE WAS A GENERAL
Majoe-Gehbeal Albxamdee S. Webb gamed his Medal of Honor at Gettysbm^,
July 3, 1863, for an act which, as General Meade said when presenting the
medal, had not been surpassed by any general in the field. He was brigadier-general
of volunteers, and in command of the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the
Second Army Corps, but nevertheless spent the whole day on the firing line. He
remained with the color guard of the Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volunteers until
every man of them had been either killed or wounded.
Noticing a company of rebels led by General Armistead clearing a low stone wall
to attack the right of the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania, General Webb rushed down the
line until he reached the threatened regiment, and directed its fire upon the rebels.
General Armistead and General Webb remained in the fire-swept zone between the
opposing forces until both were wounded. The fire was so severe that more than
half of General Webb's men were either killed or wounded, but inspired by the gal-
lantry of their general, they stood their ground unflinchingly, until they were relieved.
In this engagement General Webb received a bullet in the groin, but in a few
weeks he was at the front once more.
CARRIED THE COLORS OF HIS WOUNDED COMRADE
" It was about seven o'clock in the even-
■ ing of July 2, 1863," Corporal Harrison
Clark writes, " as we moved down into the
fight, the sun was sinking low in the west
and the heavens were ablaze with its
splendor, in marked contrast with the
lurid fires of death towards which we
were marching. We were halted amid a
heavy cloud of smoke in front of a swale
and a new growth of trees. Through the
smoke covering the field we could dimly
see the outlines of men moving about.
We commenced to fire, but the word was
shouted: 'firing on your own men,' and
the command was given to : 'cease firing.'
We soon learned our mistake.
"The color-bearer at my right fell,
mortally wounded, and before the old fiag
could touch the ground, I caught it, and on we rushed with load cries ; on, with
bullets whizzing by our ears, shells screaming and cannon balls tearing the air, now
bursting above and around us, laying many of our comrades either low in death, or
bleeding with terrible wounds. Most of our color-guard were killed or wounded.
" The purpose was accomplished. The enemy had failed to break through our
lines, and Little Round Top and Cemetery Hill were still ours. On the return march-
as we were passing the swale, where over one hundred of our brave men had fallen
in the space of half an hour, the regiment was again formed in line of battle, the
colonel ordered me to step three paces in front of the regiment, promoted me color-
bearer and, by his recommendation to Congress, I was awarded a Medal of Honor."
At the battle of the Wilderness, Color-Sei^eant Clark displayed rare bravery and
continued fighting, though shot in the leg. He was promoted lieutenant on the
battlefield.
BorD at Cbatham, N. Y., April 10. ISU.
*FALL *OUr HERE, EVERY D - - D ONE OF YOUI"
1 da
MH> LonKojur,
Capuln
I battle of Gettysburg had been in progress the entire
day of July lat, when early in the evening, the
Thirteenth Vermont Infantry, commanded by Colonel
Francis V. Eandall, reached the battle-field after seven
days of steady marching. That night was devoted by the
entire Third Brigade, onder General Stannard, to much
needed rest. On the following day, with the battle re-
newed, the Vermont boys were called upon for heavy
work and they responded bravely all along the line. In
the afternoon a body of Confederates waa seen dragging off
a battery that had jnat been captured from General Sickles'
forces and jost at that particular time, batteries were needed.
At this jnnctnre General Hancock rode up, and, seemingly
addressing the entire regiment, asked ; " Can you Vermont
men take those guns ? " The commander of the regiment,
Colonel Randall, replied: "Well try, General." Then fol-
lowec the command forming five companies for a chaige, then the chai^. Com-
pany A was in the lead and in command of Captain John Lonergan, who describes
the succeeding events as follows :
" My company reached the guns first, and placing my hand upon the nearest gnn,
I ordered the enemy to surrender. All this time the whole regiment was under
severe fire, with men falling all along the entire cha^^ ; but we reached the guns
comparatively together and in good form. The Confederates obeyed my summons
to surrender, after which my men lay down their guns and taking hold of the
wheels of the gnn carriages, b^[an moving them to a new position where they could
be utilized.
"Meanwhile I noticed that we were sustaining much damage from firing that
came from the Codories House in our front. And so ordering my command to pick
np their guns, we made a charge on the house. We quickly surrounded the build-
ing, the men at once covering the windows and doors with their guns, so that no
man should escape. Then I stepped to the front door, and knocking it in, I ordered:
'Surrender ! Fall out here, every damned one of you ! '
"My order was obeyed almost instantly, for the Confederates came tumbling out,
led by their commanding officer, until we had eighty-three men as prisoners. The
officer in command handed me his sword and each man laid down his gnn until I
had a considerably lai^er number of men as prisoners, than I had in my entire com-
mand. When all waa over for the day General Stannard sent for me, and upon my
arrival, he said : ' Captain, you did well to-day, but do you know you violated all
military laws in capturing those prisoners in the Codories House ! '
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■•■ \<«"a"'." L-^iiiifiti -JiK i»*iieKu TTni-A flniie. "jia kmiw "diiu; iniirmimr l rtuniiaaj
line, "liie I'lmmaaii. a t'aJ !u ' ' .faiit..u; -Jm '.'mfiiciHif- S-nuw 7011 vLd: ■ iiiL nm'
• L -SIT ■Jii; ;uK;! laii aaswiKU : " T-*» 'rtininLl, '1111: -Jiev T»a?» ursait" Ji. mii «:
had *vi Tiul lur, '
A M'jST heroic .-OiD H.AZARDOLS RIDE AT
GEmSBL'RG
^^Tj^^^ • dre iiTHn rJie -inBni^ j*- -/iiiii ly '.'apram S. Parks
^^^R^V Postie* >rt ' .Vi. A- Firrt Dnia^var^ Inninrr". is aiiluws :
^^Bfl^^ ■"Eiuhr. lU nrmt ■>* rjie p.^ierai left 'tenrer :ir 'Trtttvs-
^^^^^^^^^^^ 'irnti Tairia :u nrmt >)t rheir liuei^. itoott ^i ^aj.'zn-iiuiiHi imd
^^^^^^^^^^V 'lam, 'mile<I 'lie Blii^H- Hoiiiw. Thu nuiiiinus T^r^ jtuic
^^^^^^^^^r ai)'jni 'in ~iiB Uiiiim :ui<^aui;4 ikinuiHi 'Jne. lait nHinllui
^^^B^^^ xo ~ho line 'if PitbBrt'-t 'laiiniH. Po'—c^iun if ~iiuse
inuIainHS Taa- imporrant ru r'avt Snirhei-n "mnp^ ind liso
.1. ?ABKE PosTtEii lo "Jie unumv. ;iQil dnrini^ rbe •T*i':'rau iu'.' if •7iii'-. iniiny
ffl^l^^«!i'i:^2",!'!"cei^'toi^n-!. * -"iiarp -dXTiKae was had 'wm«a rhe F>i«ienii Mi^-anee
teni.3';^iaupn..W.. -ni.js.i'WL Ubb :iud "hat 'It' "iie unemy. rnr rheir vMi!j«f?riiiu. Titil
rarving rtfenita : -Kinietime* chey were in "he [)t):-:-i^^'iion
of one, ""hen in 'hat 'it 'he 'ither. The Trm^i* huidinu "he main ami Luivjiuc*? iina sz
this prjint, -vftTK :he Sef^'md Brii^ade. Thipi Diviaon :ie«*»mil Army 'Jorp*. '■ummauded
by 'xenertii Thumaa .\. ■imyrh. •'.oruaaomi -if the First Deiawacj. "he TTelfth N"hw
Jeasey. 'lie F'lUrrftenth ' .'onncrticut, and rhe '')ne-iiunilni<i ami -iigiifh X^jw Y'lrk
VoltmteerH. In rlie .u'temoon 'if Jniy 2d. the Feiierals held rhe bv.ni. while rhe
ffliemy !ield "he lionae. -wmie ,*ixty-trre yartls 'Instant and ou a line with it : ami ibruni
the 'y>ver <ti -lie :tuui«. "he ''Jonfe«ierate» were ixreatiy annoying rhe N'orrhem ikirm-
iah line, and even "he ^jnnnera of Woodruff' -i Batten', [n Ziegler-i 'ii-ove.
•' TJader r.hef4ei:in5nmiitanue«. 'ieneral Alexander Hayes. -loinmaudinsi •lur-'iivision.
sent wor^l ro ''feneral Smyth, '■ommandinif rhe hriaade. to ' have the :ueu in rhe !K*m
take rhac 'lamne'l white houiie and hoid it ail bazai'rls.' lienenti Smyth 'urned to
his staff who were i<:attere«l around him and -iaid: tlentlemen. ytiu hear, who will
take "he onier ! ' At the time. I was iittin!^ 'm a ifick a tew leet itway. -.vith one
arm throiiah :uv ^iridle and my head in my hands, baring Ijeen ■'ick iov •zvvfva.i lays
and 'Bireiy abie ru <;ontinue on dnty. N^ot hearing any response ro rhe ^►'uerai'i
question. [ rai-ti*! my head -^ftyinjj: ' I will rake it. -ir." The jreuenii ifpiied : " \Veil
Postles. ynu newi no inatnictiona from me.' I at once threw the rein over my
horse's head, mounted and rode ofE slowly down the lane, passed the little frame
building in which the rebels were and crossed the Emmitsburg Road ; and on reaching
the field beyond, I put my horse into a gentle lope. As soon as I crossed the
Emmitsburg Road, the enemy in the house opened fire on me, which grew hotter
and hotter as I drew nearer to them, till it was a constant wonder and surprise to me
that none of the bullets, which I heard whistling around and so close to me, had hit
me. One thinks very fast under such circumstances, and I speedily concluded that
the reason that they did not hit me was that I was on horseback and in motion, but
that when I should stop at the barn, they would kill me sure. It immediately
flashed upon me that my only chance of safety was in keeping my horse in motion,
•'r SANK MV SPURS
INTO THE
HORSE'S SIDES.'
not letting him stand. So, as I rode up in front of the bam, I threw my whole
weight on the bridle rein and, at the same time raising both heels, sank my spurs
deep into the horse's sides, and held them there. The poor brute, his sides torn up
by my spurs and his mouth lacerated and bleeding from the cruel curb-bit, reared,
kicked and plunged, so that I was as bad a mark as though in full gallop. An officer
came to the door of the bam and touched his hat to me for orders. I called out to
him at the top of my voice, so that the enemy in the house could hear as well as he
could: 'Tell the officer in command here, to take that house with one company of
sharpshooters, and hold it at all hazards.' All this time the enemy were firing at
me from every door or window of the hoiise in range of me. As soon as the officer
in the door of the bam touched his hat again, in token of his receipt of the order, I
loosened my bridle rein, still holding my spnrs in my horse's sides and the poor
brute sped away, almost as though shot out of a gun. When I had gotten about
three hundred yards away, beginning to feel quite safe again^ I turned in my saddle
and, taking off my cap, shook it at them in defiance. They immediately set up the
*rebel yell ' and ceased tiring at me.
^' I rode into our lines, which, as I approached, arose and gare me three cheers.
Just inside of our line I saw our corps commander. General W. S. Hancock, sitting
on his horse and watching me. He happened to be passing along just then, and
seeing the incident under way, not knowing at all who I was, stopped to see the
result of it, and as I rode up, he raised his hat, thanked and congratulated me. Our
men in the barn on receipt of my order, promptly proceeded to charge, and took the
' damned white house,^ capturing forty prisoners.
"When these prisoners were brought in and halted near our headquarters, I
stepped over to take a look at them. As I came up, one of them looked up at me —
they were seated on the ground — auid said :
" *' Well sir, I guess your time hain't come yet.' Upon my asking why, he said :
* Well, I had three fair shots at you, auid there are plenty more fellows here who had
as many.' I had been so close to them when I passed the house and while I stopped
in front of the bam that they recognized me as soon as I approached them. It
seems almost miraculous that in all that ride, down and back, seven hundred yards
each way, under a concentrated fire directed at us, neither myself nor my horse
were touched by even a single shot."
A RESOURCEFUL ARTILLERY OFFICER.
^^'Ttai noble and gallant conduct of Lieutenant Knox deserves the highest honor
^ that could be conferred on him."
This flattering tribute Captain Patrick Hart pays Lieutenant Edward M. Knox of
the Fifteenth Independent New York Light Battery in the oflBcial report of the
battery's action at the battle of Gettysburg.
On July 2d the battery was ordered to the front and take a position in the line
of battle. When this was carried out, General Sickles detailed the battery to go
with Major McGilvery and reconnoiter the enemy. Subsequently this order was
again modified and the battery ordered to take a position on the left of the Peach
Orchard. Hei-e the battery opened and directed a telling fire on one of the enemy's
-J
BDTABD M. EHOZ,
batteries, which was doii^ heavy execntion
on the Union line of battle. This artillery
duel was of brief duration. The enemy was
compelled to withdraw. A heavy column of
infantry was now advancing on the brave New
Yorkers, who then directed their fire on the
advancing columns, repulsing the rebels. A
second attack was made and for a second time
the enemy was obliged to retreat before the
deadly fire of the well served battery. When
a third attack was made and frustrated, the
battery's ammunition was exhausted and Cap-
tain Hart vrithdrew to a distance of about one
mile in good order.
Lieutenant Knox's behavior during these
struggles was admirable and highly appreciated
by his captain, who pays him the above men-
tioned tribute. The lieutenant himself says Bom m New York cuj.
of his experience on that eventful day :
"My battery galloped into Peach Orchard, by order of General Hunt, who, point-
ing in the direction of the orchard, said: 'Go in there. Rush!' I was junior
officer, and with Captain Hart, the only officer there. As we went in, the captain
shouted : ' Lieutenant, you fight the right section. I will look out for the left.' My
speed had carried me fully 100 yards ahead of the artillery line on the left (the Sixth
and Ninth Massachusetts Batteries,) and of my own left section. The Confederates
thought tbey had my guns and made a dash for them. As they came, I let go both
pieces with double canister, and as I did so, I yelled to my boys to lay down and
pretend that they were done for. And thus, not heeding us, the ' Johnnies ' swept
through my section to meet a charge from the support in our rear, — the Seventy-
second New York Infantry — I think. Then, repulsed and driven back, they came
back more rapidly than they came in. After they had again passed over us,
we got up and with our prolonges and the assistance of the infantry boys, hauled
our guns back.
" I lost seven men and eleven horses ; the battery, eight men find thirteen horses.
I was myself severely wounded in this action ; and the next day, at the time of
Pickett's charge on our front, I was shot, a round musket ball passing through both
hips. Although the latter wound made me an invalid for the next eighteen months,
I received my commission as first lieutenant of the Fifteenth Independent New
York Light Battery. I was never physically able, however, to be mustered or serve
thereafter."
THE STRUGGLE AT THE "BLOODY ANGLE"
IT was during the repulse of Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, that Sergeant Frederick
Fuger of Battery A, Fourth United States Artillery, displayed the gallantry for
which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
The battery, commanded by First Lieutenant A. H. Gushing, was posted behind a
stone wall in what afterward became known as the " Bloody Angle."
At 1 o'clock on the afternoon of July 3d, the enemy's artillery, commanded by Gen-
eral Armistead, opened along the whole line, and for an hour and a quarter the artillery
brigade of the Federal Second Corps was subjected to a very warm artillery fire.
At first the Union batteries made no reply, till the fire of the enemy became too
terrible, when they returned it, till all their ammunition except canister had been
expended. Within less than two hours the enemy had silenced tlie Rhode Island
battery and all the guns but one of Cushing's battery. They then followed up this
concentrated fire upon the Union lines by an infantry attack.
At three o'clock they left the woods in line of battle and, under a fire from
Wheeler's Battery and Cushing's gun, formed in front of the several lines of battle
and slowly but surely advanced for the attack. Steadily they approached the stone
wall. General Armistead with several hundred of his Virginia troops charged across
the stone wall and came directly upon Cushing's battery. Double and triple charges
of canister were poured into the ranks of the advancing enemy, making frightful
gaps in their lines, and by the time they had reached the battery, there was not
much left of them.
The encounter was one of the bloodiest of the war. In the very middle of the
battery the fight was continued. Lieutenant Gushing and two officers were instantly
killed. Sergeant Fuger, the only remaining officer, was left to conduct the battery's
struggle. He bravely held his ground and aided materially to the final defeat of
the daring rebels. During the fighting around the guns, General Armistead fell
mortally wounded, and almost his whole command was either killed or wounded.
Battery A's loss was forty-five out of ninety-three men killed and wounded and
eighty-three out of ninety horses killed. The guns of the battery were turned over
to the ordnance department the next day as unserviceable.
Sergeant Fuger's conduct at this engagement was highly praised by hia superior
officers and found immediate recognition by a promotion to the rank of a second
lieatenant.
THE DELAY WAS FATAL
JOBNH
prpBB.
SerKea
Hlghes
t, Co.A
t rank al
l40lhP(>nn.Vol
alned; CapUlQ
'T'wo gallant actions, one performed at Gettysbui^ and
* the other a year later, are thus recalled by Sei^eanfc
John M. Hpes of the One hundred and fortieth Penn-
sylvania Volunteers.
"On the afternoon of July 3, 1863, our brigade charged
across a wheat field and engaged the enemy in the woods
south of it. Taking advantage of our exposed position far
in advance of our line, the enemy, under General Long-
street, poured a deadly fire upon our flank. Our little
brigade had lost more than half its men and nearly all its
oflScers, and had begun to waver and fall back before I
could fully realize the situation. Standing at the right of
my company, a step or two in front, firing as rapidly as I
could, I saw that most of our men were getting across the
field toward the main line, while the Twenty-fourth
Geoi^a Infantry, crossing from the woods, was close
upon U3. Lieutenant J. J. Purman, of my company, was
standing near me.
"The question confronted us: 'shall we be captured or take the slim chance of
crossing that field ? ' Of course we took the chance. We had hardly started when a
wounded comrade pleaded to be taken off the field, as he could not rise. The rebels,
who were very close upon us, called: 'Halt, you damned Yankees, halt.' We how-
ever, carried this comrade some thirty or forty steps and placed him behind some
large boulders where he would have protection from the fire from both sides, and
from being trampled upon.
" This occupied but a few moments, but the delay was fatal to our attempt to
cross the wheat field. We had just started on a good double-quick, when Lieutenant
Purman called out: 'I am hit!' I was then but a few steps from him, and the next
moment I received a wound in the leg, and replied: 'I am wounded too.' Realizing
that I could not aid the lieutenant, having only one sound leg, I thought 'goodbye
comrades,' and, using my gun for a crutch, commenced to hop off the battle-field,
but had only gotten a few paces, when to my surprise, I found myself right among
the Confederates.
"Our flank was captured, taken to the rear, and put in an old bam, then used by
the enemy as a temporary hospital. We remained in their hands until the nest
morning, when our forces advanced and recaptured us, taking a good number of
Confederates at the same time. I was carried on a stretcher to the tents of the
Second Corps' hospital, established in the woods, where I found Lieutenant Purman,
who had been wounded by my side, and whose leg had been amputated.
"On AuouaT 24, 1864, at Ream's Station Virginia, two divisions of Hancock's
Corps 'kaving torn up and destroyed several miles of railroad, a detail was sent out
on picket duty for the night. Being captain and ranking officer, the command
devolved upon me," Captain Pipes narrates in describing his second experience. "We
were on duty all night, and the next day during the fight the enemy attempted to
flank us, causing my command to become uneasy and fear capture. I saw clearly
that to remain meant capture with serious loss, so finally assumed responsibility,
and moved my men by the left flank back across the railroad, ordering them to lie
down there while I reconnoitered.
t USED MY QUN FOR A CRUTCH."
" I diacovei-od that our forces had left their positions, so I returned and led my
command at the double-quick to a depression, where I ordered them to lie down
again. I had been there but a few minutes, when a battery of the enemy nnlim-
bored and opened a territio fire upon us. They soon had the range and would have
destroyed us, had not I ordered the command back up the hill at a lively gait. Near
the top an officer came galloping up to me and said: 'Captain Pipes, if you will
take in your men on the left and help check the enemy in their flank movement, I'll
see that you will get credit'
"Moving some distance I deployed my men as skirmishers and led them in what
was supposed to be the direction of the command. Then I ordered them to move
forward, taking care to avail themselves of any protection they might find. Shortly
afterward the command was given, 'cease firing' to enable us to discover the situa-
tion of our men and that of the enemy. While looking out under the smoke, when
the fire of the enemy had abated, I received a wound through the right arm, shatter-
ing it from near the shoulder down to the elbow. The fight at this time seemed to
be nearly over, and with the assistance of two comrades, I was able to lead ray com-
mand back to the woods, where I ran across my regiment. My ride in an ambulance
for ten miles that night was a meriiorable one. The dangling arm was amputated
the next day at City Point, Va."
CAPTURED FOUR REGIMENTAL FLAGS
BDMIJin) BIOB,
Major, IBth Hmb. Inf.
Highest raDkatialned: Lleat.-CoL
'X'hb Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry was ex-
* posed to the full force of Lee's artillery fire
daring the afternoon of July 3d, at Gettysburg.
After the suspension of that fire, it was advanced and
obliqued to the left, and placed in part behind the
famous "Pile of Rails." When Longstreet's infantry
advance had fully developed, the regiment was with-
drawn from that position and momentarily held in
reserve. About two or three minutes after reaching
the reserve position, a break in General Webb's Bri-
gade occurred, and the enemy's battle flags appeared in
the gap made by the break. That was the crisis of the
battle on that wing of the Union Army. Major Edmund
Rice, of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry, fully
appreciated the danger of the situation.
"Boys," he shouted to his men, "follow me !" And away he dashed in the direc-
tion of the Confederate battle flags. The "boys" did not desert their major, but
joined in the race to a man. They were followed by a part of the Seventh Michigan
and Forty-second New York Infantry, Major Rice kept the lead and was the first
one to come in contact with the surprised enemy. The clash of the two bodies of
troops was fierce. Brave Major Rice was among the iirst ones wounded, which fact
however did not prevent him from maintaining his command. The desperate hand-
to-band stru^le which his fearless initiative had inaugurated, gave General Webb's
Brigade time to rally, expel the enemy from the gap in the Union line, and decide
the battle in favor of the Union arms. Major Rice's regiment lost three-fourths of
its force during the fight, but the victorious survivors returned with the captured
colors of four rebel regiments.
SAW THE REBEL FLAG AND TOOK IT
Qeeqeant Benjamin H. Jellisos of Company C,
'^ Nineteenth Massachusetts Infantry has an
interesting story to tell of his experience at the
battle of Gettysburg. He says :
"We arrived on the field of Gettysbui^ the
night of the first day of July. The next day we ■
were ordered to the left, in the rear of the Third
Corps to rally it, as it had been broken and was
coming in in bad shape. We were too late, and
our chai^, made in an attempt to save the bat-
tery in front of us, was in vain. The rebels got
BBHJAMiH H. JBLU80M, there first, fcumod the battery on us, so that we
8erK«u..c».umbM»s^bu«iuin(»^.ry. ^.^^e foreed to fall back. As my company was
the sixth in line, we were left in charge of the
colors, lu retreating, I was crowded into the color-guard, and soon found myself
in front of the colors. Presently the color-bearer was shot ; I picked up the colors
and was at once made sergeant.
" On the third day we lay on Cemetery Ridge, and while the officers were eating
their dinner in the rear of the coloi-s, the first shell that the rebels fired went into
the mess and killed Lieutenant Robertson. The next shell hit one of our gun stacks.
Then the colonel ordered to break stacks. The dance now commenced. The Nine-
teenth Massachusetts was supporting the New York Independent Battery, which by
this time had lost all Its men except the captain, one lieutenant and one sergeant.
The captain came into our regiment bare-headed, with both hands in his hair, and
called out: "For God's sake, men, volunteer to work these guns; don't let this
battery be silent."
"I was lying on the ground, the colors by my side, and Lieutenant Shackly next
to ine. Shackly said : ' Come, Jellison, let's go and help, we might just as well get
killed there as here.'
" ' All right,' said I, and so I carried my ammunition from the limber to the guns.
The colonel saw me and ordered me back to the colors. The shelling had now
stopped, and an old general riding past, called to us: 'Get into line, boys, they ara
coming.' Upon that, the colonel ordered me on the ridge and gave orders to rally
on the colors. We then chained to the fence near by, and some got over.
"Lieutenant Shackly was again at my side. 'Ben,' he remarked this time, 'see
the rebel flag i Let's get it.' He pointed to our front, and the next moment I lost
him. I rushed forward and succeeded in capturing the flag, and besides assisted in
taking quite a number of prisoners. With the Stars and Stripes flying over my head,
and can-yiug the captured flag, I retreated."
V
/
A DASHING CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG
r\UBUio the battle of Gettysburg, oa the after-
*-' noon of July 3d, General Kilpatrick ordered
General Famsworth to charge on the right flank of
the enemy in front of both Round Tops, and desig-
nated Major William Wells to lead the Second
Battalion of the First Vermont Ca/alry in the
attack.
The charge was made : Major Wells at the head
of his brave Vermontera with General Famsworth
riding by his side. At the outset, the Union forces
suffered a severe loss. General Famsworth was
struck by a ball and instantly killed. There was
DO interruption in the attack, however. The death
of the gallant general only served to stimulate
Major Wells and his men to still more determined action.
With disregard to a most galling fire the major led his batallion over the atone
wall against the superior hostile force and drove the foe in all directions. He fol-
lowed in pursuit, cleared another wall and dashed across a field swept by the rebel
batteries, piercing the enemy's second line. A fresh regiment of rebels, sent ^rom
the right to intercept some retreating Union troops, was encountered on a little hill.
Then there was a desperate fight for the possession of the hill. Major SiTella oa^riQd
it, and took the greater part of the rebel regiment prisoners. It was a wonderful
charge, crowned with brilliant success, and showed Major Wells to be a most dqsh-
ing cavalry officer.
mLLUK WSU.8,
U&lor, Ut VennoDt Cavalry.
Elsli«itninkBttslDed:Bvt.-UkJrQen.,tI.I.V.
Bom In WsterbuTj. Vt., ISO.
THE CHARGE WAS MADE WITH A MIGHTY SHOUT.
WHBBLOOK G. Yeazet, shortly after his promotion from the Third Vermont to
the colonelcy of the Sixteenth Vermont, was carried by the tide of war to
the famous Pennsylvania battlefield, where his regiment attained a reputation
second to none. This regiment occupied, on the third day of Gettysburg, the front
of Stannard's Brigade, in the left center of the Union line. In this advanced position
it received the first shock of Pickett's charge. It was a tremendous attack, but the
assailants were forced to surge off to the right, and the regiment commanded by
Colonel Veazey, wheeled out and attacked them on the flank as they went by with
withering effect, and capturing many prisoners
At this moment, while the Sixteenth waa partly broken, another column — ^Wil-
cox's and Perry's Brigades — came rushing along toward its flank and rear. Colonel
Veazey quickly grasped the situation. He explained his plans to General Stannard.
"Veazey," cried the general, "your men will do almost anything, but the men
don't live this side of hell, that can be made to charge down there." But in shorter
time than it takes to tell it, the regiment had straightened out, reformed, and made
another change of front in the very center of the field, where the battle raged in
its greatest fury, and men were falling every instant.
"I stepped to the front," says Colonel Veazey, "and called upon the men to
follow. With a mighty shout the rush forward was made, and, before the enemy
could change his front, we had struck his flank, and swept down the line, and again
captured a great number of prisoners. In the two charges my r^ment captured
three stan is of colors. The last charge brought a heavy artillery fire on us, but we
lost only 160 out of 400 because the rebels never accurately found our range."
USURPED THE GENERAL'S
AUTHORITY.
D"
JOHN B. FA8BITT,
OaptKln Oo. F,3Sd PennBylvsaU IntantlT
Highest rank stlAlned ; Mdjor.
Bom In Fhllsdelphla, Fs., Oct. as, 1830.
UEiN(j the battle of Gettysburg many were the
exigencies and tremendous responsibilities that
confronted the general officers in each army. In
most instances, also, they were met and disposed of
with all loyalty, patriotism and bravery.
It was on the day before the demonstration known
as Pickett's charge, that Captain John B. Fassitt of
Company F, Twenty-third Pennsylvania Infantry, dis-
played his courage, his quick mind, action and will-
ingness to shoulder great responsibility. On the day
of the Peach Orchard struggle, shortly after Major-
General Daniel E. Sickles had received the wound which later cost him a leg, that
Battery I, of the Fifth United States Artillery, was Captured by the Confederates.
Captain Fassitt, at the time was senior aide to General Bimey, who, General Sickles
having been carried off the field, was in command of the Third Army Corps. Fassitt
had just completed the work of reforming Humphrey's Division on Cemetery Eidge
after it had been driven back from Blodensburg Road, and was returning to the left
line to report to General Bimey, when he saw Lieutenant Samuel Peoples of Battery
I, standing on a rock looking to the front. Thereupon Captain Fassitt asked the
lieutenant why he was not with his battery, and the lieutenant answered ; "Because
it lias just been captured." And then pointing toward his battery, the lieutenant
continued: "And if those Confederates are able to serve my guns, those troops you
have just been forming on the ridge, won't stay there a minute."
Captain Fassitt, instantly comprehending the fact that the battery could direct
an enfilading fire on Cemetery Ridge, and recognizing that ridge as the key to the
Federal position, he rode rapidly t» the nearest troops — the Thirty-ninth New York
Infantry — and ordered Major Hillebrandt, the commanding officer, to retake the
battery.
"By whose orders?" asked the major.
The captain replied : " By order of General Bimey."
"I am in General Hancock's Corps," responded the major.
To this the captain said : "Then I order you to take those guns, by order of
General Hancock."
"THE CAPTAIN
STRUCK UP WITH
HtS SABRE."
At this. Ma-
jor Hillebrandt
moved his regi-
ment by flank with
superb alacrity, and when
opposite the battery, he ordered a charge. Captain Fassitt not only helped to move
the regiment by the flank, but, being the only mounted officer, also assisted in the
assault. The Confederates were not willing to give up the battery and position
without a struggle and the fight was a fi3rce one. As the Federal line reached the
Confederates, one of them seized the bridle of Captain Fassitt's horse while another
raised his musket fair into the face of the mounted man. The captain struck up
with his sabre just in time to divert the musket ball so that it passed through tbo
vUor of his cap. and the next instant a member of the Thirty-ninth tan his bayonet
throagh the man who delivered the shot, while Fassitt shot down the man holding
the bridle of hi^ horse. Again free, the captain went on with Major Hillebrandt's
troops, until they had secured Cemetery Hill for Hancock's use in repulsing
Pickett.
WHERE DISOBEDIENCE WAS A
VIRTUE
WILUUi S. ^T^T»»i
Ciipuin. Tr<>tip B.Ird Penn.
Boni at Wifii; 3:11. Cosilieriaail
Co.. P*aa.
Ctoeeal and Confederate cavalry were hotly engaged
^ during the last day's fighting at Gettysbui^, July 3d.
There were skirmishes, charges, coonter-chaiges from
noon till nightfaU daring that most eventful day. Some-
times it woold seem as if the enemy would gain an advan-
tage, when the Tnion cavalry would rally and witii
renewed vigor wrest from them the victory which OtB
rebels believed to be already within their grasp. And
thns the fighting continued for hours with varying snccesB,
until at dark the Confederate cavalry retired to a poedtiim
behind their artillery, leaving the Federals masters of the
contested field.
"Heavy skirmishing." says General Gregg, referring to this cavalry fi^t, **waa
maintained by the Third Peansylvania Cavalry with the enemy and was con-
tinued until nightfall Daring the engagement a portion of this regiment made a'
very han'isome and successful charge upon one of the enemy's raiments.''
General Gregg's flattering mention of the "handsome charge.** refers to the
gallant feat of Captain William £. Miller of Troop H. who by this deed became tiie
hero of his regiment and the recipient of the precious Medal of Honor.
The captain himself describes the charge as follows:
"Om regiment ha<i been ordered forward, and my squadron was deployed along
the edge of the woo-is. with orders to hold that position. We had nothing to do with
the first part of the fight, but when a Virginia regiment approached, ire opened fire
on them acd succee<ied in holding theni is check. A flank fire also opened on them,
and they were obliged to fall back on their main K>ly.
■■ 5?idde:ily there appeared, moving towards as. a mass of cavalry {cHmedin close
colr.-nn sqiadrons. They rode with well aligned front and steady reins, their pol-
ished sa'ores glittering in the sun. Shell a;:i shrapnel tore throng their xanks, but
they closed up the gapg and came on as steadily as ever. As they drew neazer, onr
artillery-men snbstitated canister for shrapnel, and horses and men went down by
scores. Still they came on, and our cavalry fell into line and prepared for a chaise.
"As the columns approached each other, each increased its pace until they
came together with a crash like the falling of timber. So violent was the collision
that many of the horses were turned over, crushing ttieir riders under them. The
clashing of sabres, firing of pistols, and the cries of the combatants filled the air.
" My squadron was still deployed, and I was standing with Lieutenant William
Brooke-Rawle on a little rising ground in front. Seeing that the situation was
becoming critical, I said to him: 'I have been ordered to hold this position, but I
will order a charge if you will back me up in case I am court-martialed for diso-
"WE BROKE THROUOH THE CONFEDERATE COLUMN.
bedience.' The lieutenant enthusiastically promised that he would stand by me. As
soon as the line was formed, our men fired a volley from their carbines, drew their
sabres, and charged, striking the enemy's left flank about two-thirds down the column.
"We broke through the Confederate column, cut oft the rear portion and drove
'tback; but in the chaise my men became somewhat scattered, and were even
t. lable to capture an unsupported rebel battery which was standing only 100 yards
is yay. The flank attack demoralized the Confederate column, and it was driven
^n? '/ik to its former position, leaving as in possession of the field."
A SMALL
PARTY'S
BRAVE DEED
'T'he brunt of fhe Confederate onslaught, on
'■ the second day of the battle of Gettysburg,
was directed against General Sickles' extreme
left, held by General Ward of General Bimey's
Division, whose three brigades extended their
line from the Hound Tops across the Devil's
Den to and beyond the Peach Orchard. At
first the Federals, after a bitter contest, were
forced to yield to the superior strength of the
enemy and retreated. Then the Union troops
received re-enfoicemeuts and made a stand
against the advancing Confederates near the
Little Round Top. Here a most terrible strug-
gle took place. At all points the ground was
contested srtubbomly. The odds were against
the Federals, but in the face of heavy losses
vir]^^^^ they fooght with a bravery rarely equalled. In
&^^^^^^^^\ thJB contest the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves
f ^^^■^^^^\ was an important factor in General Bimey's
I ^^^KS^^I ' Division to which it belonged. It not only
1 ^^HE^^B / distinguished itself with the balance of the
i ^^L^^^V / Union Army during the heat of the battle, but
l^k^^^^^^- ' some of its individual members performed deeds
of daring and valor which contributed toward
the final success of that day as far as the attack
on this wing of the Union Army was concerned.
No more conspicuous deed was there, how-
ever, than that which was performed by Ser-
geant John W. Hart of Company D, Sergeant
Geoi^e W. Hears of Company A, Corporals
J. Levi Roush and Chester S. Furman, the
former of Company D, the latter of Company A,
and two others, all members of the afore-
mentioned gallant regiment. The occasion
was this : As the battle was raging at i^
height, the Union troops stationed near Devil's Den, suffered especially froy'
JOHN W. HAKT,
Berge&Dt. Co
D.OthPn.Reflems.
Born
In Genu an ;.
J. L. RODBB,
Corporal, Co. D, aih Pa. SEserr
Born in Woodbury, P«.. Feb. 11,
asOEaB W. KBABS.
a«rge»nl,Co
A.UlhPs. Roervea.
Born in
OHBSTEB 8. FURIUH,
Corporal, Co. A,Ath Pa. Reserve
a concentrated and well-directed fire, which was, difficult at first to locate. It wi
finally, however, traced to a small log house nearby. Here a number of sharpshoot?
to
had fortified tbemselTes and were pouring their volleys into the Union ranks with
deadly accuracy. The necessity to stop this source of destruction became imperative.
The colonel of the Sixth Pennsylvania Reserves placed his regiment at the disposal
of the commanders to accomplish this task. His offer being accepted, the colonel at
once asked for volunteers. Pointing to the log house in the distance he said : " Are
any of you men willing to drive those rebels out of that place there ? " He did not
have to wait longfor a reply. The sii men mentioned at once stepped forward and
volunteered. The colonel's face beamed with pride and satisfaction as he sayr the
DEMANDED THEIR SURRENDER.
brave fellows respond to his call. Subsequently the six made an attack upon the log
house. Cautiously and slowly they crept up to the place, but did not get very far,
before they were discovered. Then they made a dash, a run, a break for the hut, all
the while facing a heavy fire from the rebels. However, they escaped injury and
reached the log house unhurt They knocked down the barricades at the door with
the butts of their rifles, and then with levelled guns demanded the surrender of the
men on the inside. The Pennsylvanians gave their opponents no time for hesitation
or doubt. Determination wa^ written on the face of each of the brave six. The
alternative was: immediate surrender or death. The rebels preferred the former
and thus became the prisoners of the gallant little band of Union heroes.
A BAYONET CHARGE THE LAST HOPE.
N^
JOSHUA L. OHAHBBSLAIN.
ColoDd,20tliMMnelDtkntrr.
BJgbMtranliatialiied: Brlg.-Gen., U.S. ^
Bom In Brewer, Maine, Sept. 8, 1S3S.
TxTXR had a bayonet charge more effective
results than had that of the Twentieth Maine '
Volunteers, on the slope of Little Round Top, at
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. It not only saved the
position of the Union troops, but compelled General
Lee to change his whole plan of attack. The
incident is thus described by Colonel Joshua L.
Chamberlain, commanding the Twentieth
Maine :
" My regiment held the extreme left of the
Union lines, at Gettysburg. The enemy was
shelling the whole crest heavily, and moving a
large force to seize this commanding height,
while we were rushing up to get the position
ourselves. "We had scarcely got our troops
into something like a line among the rocks of
the southern slope, when the enemy's assault
struck us. It was a hard hand-to-hand fight,
swaying back and forth mider successive charges and counter-charges, for an hour.
I had been obliged to throw my left vring back at a right-angle or more in order to
hold the ground at all.
"As it was a sort of echelon attack, the enemy was constantly coming up on my
left, and outflanking me. The losses in my regiment were very heavy. In the
center of the apex of the angle, made by throwing back the left wing, the color-
guard was shot away, the color-company and that next to it lost nearly half their
number, and more than a third of my regiment was disabled. We had, in the lull
of the fight, thrown together a low line of loose rocks that were scattered about the
ground, and the men were taking such shelter as they could behind these, though
they could do this only by lying down and firing over them. This helped us but
little ; it served chiefly to mark the line we were bound to maintain.
"At last I saw a heavy force that hail just come up over the opposite slopes of
Great Round Top, coming on to envelop our left. They were close to us, advancing
rapidly, and firing as they came. "We had expended our last round of cartridges, and
had been gathering what we could from the cartridge-boxes of the dead and dying,
friend and foe. We met this fresh force with these cartridges, but at the critical
moment, when the enemy were within fifty feet of us, our fire fell to nothing. Every
round was gone.
" Knowing the supreme importance of holding this ground, which covered the
flank of Hazlett's Battery on the summit and gave a clear enfilading and rear fire
"AND INSTANTLY HE SURRENDERED."
upon the whole force holding Little Boond Top, I saw no other war to are it. or
even omselr^;. bat to charge with the baronet. The on-coming force eridently
ontnniQbered o^ three or four to one. bat it was the last resort.
"Giring the order to chazge. I placed myself bedde the colors at the apex of oar
fannation. sent word to the senior officer on mr left to make a right wheel of the
chaige and endearor to catch the enemy somewhat in flank on their right. Then we
s^ang down the rocky slope into the presence of the astonished foe. I came directly
opon an officer commanding ttie center of the opposing line. He attempted to fire
a pistol in my face, bat my sabre point was at his threat, and instantly he tamed
the batt of his pistol and the hilt of his sword, and soirendered. His whole line
began to throw down their arms likewise. My officers were also in the line with the
baronets.
" This charge was saccessfol beyond all my hopes. We not only cleared our own
front, bat. by the right wheel, cleared the front of the entire brigade on oar right,
and also the whole ground between Little and Great Boond Top. We took twice as
many prisoners as we bad men in oar ranks, and foand 150 of the enemy's dead in
oor front These were of the Fifteenth, Forty-serenth and Foarth Alabama, and
the Fifth Texas re^ments.
"The result of thb morement, beyond question, was the saring of Hazlens Bat-
tery, and, in fact, Boond Top itself, to oor troops. It now appears that it also
changed Lee's plans for bis attack of the next day which had been intended to be a
cnmhing blow on our left again, bat was abandoned for Pickett's charge on the
oeater. The honors belong to my regiment'*
THE JOKE WAS ON
THE OTHER FELLOWS.
AvoiTo the comrades of Company A. One-hundred
and eighth New Tork In&ntrr. Corpoial William
H. Itaymond's physique was the subject of a standing
joke. He was 80 lean and lanky, that it was obserred
that he was altogether too thin to eren cast a shadow
or offer sofficient sorfece for a decent target These
jokesweregood-natnredly borne by the corporal, xmtjl
an incident occurred during the battle of Gettysbuig,
when Corporal Baymond accomplished a task, where
he showed that his physique came in good ste-ad and
besides displayed such courage and daring that erer
afterward the joke about his being "'too thin" was on the other fellow. Corporcl
Bftymond's own words of the incident referred to, follow :
^^V^ ^~~-^J(5l*'
Occvmal. Cb. M- iwtti Xnr Torfc InfsntTT-
Sotx U PaBf Id. HimniF Co.. K. T-
tUym.OH.
"Early in the morning of July 3d, my regiment, the One-hundred and eightii
New York Volunteer Infantry, was sent to the skirmish line in our immediate front.
Company A, to which I belonged, had eighteen men present in line for duty.
" The skirmish line, which was entirely destitute of anything in the way of pro-
tection, which was also true of the ground between Ziegler's Grove and our line,
while the rebel skirmish line was behind and along a rail fence, not more than
fifteen or twenty rods in our front, from which we received a very hot fire while
going into position. Before reaching it the orderly-sergeant of my company was
wounded and Lieutenant Ostrander appointed me orderly-sei^eant.
"I ARRIVED UNHURT."
"During the engagement our men were running short of ammunition and I
advised them to use the cartridges from the dead and wounded, but these did not
last long. I, therefore, reported to Lieutenant Ostrander, who told me to make a
detail and send for a fresh supply. This duty was extremely hazardous, and I
doubted whether it could be done without the sacrifice of life.
" Under such circumstances I hesitated to make the detail, and suggested a call
for volunteers. The lieutenant's reply came: 'I don't care how it is done, as long
as you obtain the ammunition.' On calling for volunteers no one responded, where-
upon I volunteered to go myself and started for our lines. Here I stated my errand.
** IdeatenantrColonel Pierce, who had command of the raiment, sent for a snpply,
and npon its arriTal, said. 'Bajmond, you have taken your share of risk, let some
one else take this down to the skirmish line/ I said that it might as well be myself
as anyone else. The chances were' talked over rapidly, and appeared poor enough.
Nearly every officer present with the r^;iment, and many of tiie men bade me good-
bye, tiie opinion being freely expressed, that I conld not get bock to the skirmish
line alive. However, I took a box of ammnnition of 1,000 ronnds, and carried it
down to tiie line, arrivmg there nnhnrt, thoagh I had seven holes shot throngh my
clothing."
WITH BAYONET AND COBBLE STONES.
i^^OBPORAL Hehbt D. (VfiEiKzr of Company
^-^ E, First Minnesota Infantry, received
his Medal of Honor for two acts of gallantry
at the batUe of Gettysburg. On Jnly 2d,
1S63, the First Minnesota was ordered by
General Hancock to chaige the Confederate
forces, who were driving in the Third Corps.
The raiment numbered 262, officers and
men, when it went into that desperate
charge, but when it came oat, 215 had
been killed and womided. The chaige
had its due effect, however, for the enemy's
line was broken, his advance stopped, and
a large number of prisoners taken. While
the Minnesota raiment was withdrawing
from between the two fires, O'Brien noticed
one of his comrades, E. R. Jefferson, drop,
shot throngh the leg. He picked up his
woonded comrade on his back, and wss
carrying him to a place of safety, when a
ball struck his cartridge box plate, throwing him to the ground. Undaunted by
Hiia, he sprang to his feet, raised the woonded man and carried him to the rear
without farther injury.
On the following day, when Pickett made his gallant but fntile charge, O'Brien
had another occasion to display his heroism. The story is well told in the official
report of the commanding officer of the First Minnesota: "Corporal Dehn, the last
of our color^uard, then canying our tattered flag, was shot through the hand, and
Iba flagstaff cut in two. Gorponl Henzy D. O'Brien al Company E, instantly seized
■BIKV D. O-BKIKR.
Odrponl. Co. B. ]« MlnDi»ciia IctutiT.
Bon at OoloU, MAlae, Ju. B. IMt.
— 251 —
ihe flag by the remnant of the staff. Whether the command to charge was given
by any general officer, I do not know. My impression was, that it came as a spon-
taneous outburst from the men, and instantly the line precipitated itself upon the
enemy. O'Brien, who held the broken staff and tatters of our battle flag, with his
characteristic bravery and impetuosity sprang with it to the front at the first sound
of the word * charge,' and ran right up to the enemy's line, keeping the flag noticeably
in advance of every other color. My feeling, at the instant, blamed his rashness in so
risking its capture, but the effect was electrical. Every man of the First Minnesota
sprang to protect the flag, and the rest rushed with them upon the enemy. The
bayonet was used for a few minutes, and cobble stones, with which the ground was
well covered, filled the air, being thrown by those in the rear over the heads of their
comrades. The struggle, desperate and deadly while it lasted, was soon over. Cor-
poral O'Brien received two wounds in the final melee at the moment of the victory."
In this charge O'Brien was twice wounded in the head and the left hand, but he
carried his colors through the fight. In the charge of the previous day, he received
a bayonet wound in the side.
CAPTURED THE SHARPSHOOTERS IN THE BARN
THE Third Division of the Eleventh Corps was commanded by General Carl
Schurz and known as " Howard's German Army." Attached to it was the
Forty-fifth New York Infantry, under command of Colonel George Van Amsberg,
composed of soldiers of German blood. This regiment distinguished itself during
the initiatory fighting at the battle of Gettysburg, every man displaying great
bravery and daring. Captain Francis Irsch, of Company D, especially manifested
such skill and intrepidity that a Medal of Honor was awarded him.
The regiment arrived at Gettysburg at 11 A. M., after a double-quick march of
several miles, some time in advance of the Eleventh Corps. Captain Irsch was im-
mediately ordered to relieve Buford's Division, which was slowly retiring before
General Henry Heth's Confederate forces.
As Captain Irsch, in pursuance of his orders, was cautiously and steadily moving
forward, he came in contact with Major Blackford's Alabama sharpshooters and
two Confederate batteries planted on Oak and Benness Hills. The enemy's fire did
considerable execution and Captain Irsch was forced to seek cover and wait for
re-enforcements. When the balance of the regiment and Dilger's Ohio Battery
came dashing to his support, the attack on the two rebel batteries was renewed and
carried on effectively.' GBneral Ewell, however, observed the small number of the
Union troops and a large gap in their lineo and ordered O'Neil's Alabama and Iver-
son's North Carolina Brigade to make a dash, break through the Union lines and
— 2fi2—
gain possession of the town of Oak Hill and of the division of the two Union corps.
Iverson, however, either misunderstood the order or was belated, and O'Neil's
stealthy movement toward the Mummasberg Road along a covered lane at the base
of Oak Hill, was discovered by Captain Irsch just in time to advise Captain Dilger's
Battery and the other regiments. Dilger's battery poured double shotted shrapnel into
the ranks of the advancing Alabamians who, at the same time, were received with a
galling fire from the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, who, by that time, had
faced about to cover the breach and meet the attack. The Alabamians became dis-
ordered and staggered back upon the rear regiments of the brigade. Captain Irsch
no sooner perceived the predicament of the rebels when he concluded that the time
for a bold stroke had come. He ordered a charge and soon drove the Alabamians
pell-mell again forward on the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts. The greater
part of three regiments of the rebel brigade surrendered with their battle-flags.
Another part had fortified itself in McLean's bam and from there kept up a galling
fire. Captain Irsch made a rush for the bam and stormed it, capturing about one
hundred more prisoners. Iverson's Brigade of North Carolinians arrived too late
and met with a similar fate.
When later in the day General Early turned the right of the Eleventh Corps
and was threatening Steinwehr's Second Division on Cemetery Hill, the general
break up of the First and Eleventh Corps came. The Union troops poured into
the town of Gettysburg, hotly pursued by the Confederates. Baxter's Brigade
of the First and Schimmelpfennig's of the Eleventh Corps frequently held the
victorious enemy at bay and carried their desperate resistance right into the
streets of the town. Gun carriages, ambulances, the wounded and the dead blocked
the way and made further resistance impossible. The regiments broke up into small
commands, each endeavoring to escape and reach Cemetery Hill as best they
could. Captain Irsch's Battalion remained intact till Chambersburg Street was
reached, which they cleared to the right and left almost up to Market Square, where
a portion of the Forty -fifth with the colors ran through an alley just as the enemy
was planting a battery on the square. Captain Irsch already had taken possession
of a block of houses from which he and the remainder of his regiment kept up an
incessant fire upon the Confederates. Many Union soldiers sought refuge in the
same block, so that within a short time there were no less than 600 men barricaded
in these houses. The street defense in that section of the town lasted several hours.
Toward sundown the Confederates demanded the surrender of the gallant little band.
Captain Irsch was permitted to leave the temporary defense under a fiag of truce
and satisfy himself that no succor was in sight and that further resistance was use-
less. He was escorted to the outskirts of the town and was soon convinced that
nothing could be gained by further bloodshed. After a consultation with the other
oflBcers the men were ordered to destroy their arms and ammunition and surrender.
Captain Irsch was sent to Libby prison. He made one escape, was recaptured and
sent back again behind the walls of this dismal place of confinement.
TEN CAPTURE A FORTIFIED STOCKADE
r\uBiNa Bosecrans' campaign a^inst Bragg, in Ten-
*-^ nessee, Sergeant George Marsh commanded
the " forlorn hope " of ten volunteera, sent to capture
the rebel stockade at Elk River, Tenn., July 2, 1863.
It had been reported to General John Beatty, com-
manding the Union troops, that the rebels had burned
the bridge over the Elk River and taken position with
their artillery and infantry on the bluffs beyond. Gen-
eral Beatty describes the situation as follows;
"Riding forward, I discovered the enemy's cavalry
and infantry across the river, and his artillery in
position ready to open on us whenever the head of
our column should make its appearance in the turn of
the road. Seeing that it would be useless to expose
my infantry, and that artillery alone would be effectual in dislodging him, I hurried
forward Captain Hewett's four guns, and sent back a request for another battery,
upon which Captain Schultz' Battery was sent forward. Without exposing my
horses and men, so as to draw the enemy's fire, I succeeded in getting ten guns in
position, before he was aware of it, and opened fire. The enemy replied vigorously,
but so well were the guns of Captains Hewett and Schultz served, that after about
forty minutes the enemy retired his artillery double-quick. I then sent forward my
regiments to the river, shelled the sharpshooters and cavalry from the hills on the
opposite side, sent a few men to occupy a stockade near the bridge, and drive away
a few troublesome sharpshooters, who were still concealed in the bluffs." The bal-
ance of the interesting story is best told by Sei^eant Marsh himself. He says;
"We had skirmished all the morning with a light battery supported by infantry,
who were defending their retreating baggage trains. As we advanced we came
suddenly to a clearing, on the opposite side of which was a stockade fort plainly
visible from our position. A short distance to our right the enemy had crossed
the Elk River on a bridge which they burned to prevent our following. Also, in
case we should make an attempt to construct a pontoon bridge, they had planted
a small battery on the opposite side of the stream, and stationed a squad of infantry
to support it.
"Our commanding officer saw, that if we were in possession of the stockade, we
could better cope with the advances of the enemy. He asked me to lead a squad to
reconnoiter, and if possible, take the stockade. I called out: 'All who are not afraid,
fall in!'
" Many offered to go, but I took the first ten who stepped forward, and started
for the fortification. We deployed and covered the field at a double-quick under a
beavy fire of mosketry and artillery from the other side of the Elk River, and at first
from the stockade.
"None of us returned the fire until we had forced an entrance into the stockade,
then we emptied our rifles into the Confederates, who, upon seeing us enter the fort,
climbed the stockade on the opposite side and ran up the bank. No one who saw
" WE DEPLOYED AND STARTED FOR THE FORTIFICATION."
us go into the fight expected to see us come out alive, but we did, and without the
loss of a man."
Of the ten men who followed Sergeant Marsh in this brilliant charge, the names
of only six could be obtained. They were John Shapland, Oscar Slagle, Re'u-
ben Smalley, Charles Stacey, Richard J. Gage and Samuel F. Holland. Each of
these was rewarded with a Medal of Honor. The records state that Sergeant Marsh
received his "for having led a small party at Elk River July 2, 1863, captured a
stockade and saved the bridge. "
A DARE-DEVIL CHARGE.
SEBQBAifT Chables M. Holton, Company
A, Seventh Michigan Cavalry, won his
medal at the battle of Falling Waters, by
capturing a flag of the Fifty-fifth Vii^nia, in
one of the most dashing charges in the annals
of the war. He thus describes the incident :
" On the morning of July 14, 1863, Cust-
er's Michigan Brigade came face to face wit^
four brigades of rebel infantry strongly en-
trenched and supported by artillery. This
was a division of Lee's army which had failed
to cross the Potomac. Although greatly
inferior in numbers, the Michigan men
formed up and attacked them with great
fury. Our skirmish line was rapidly ap-
proaching the enemy's battery, where Gen-
eral Eilpatrick ordered a chaise by the First Battalion of the Seventh Michigan,
which had been left to support Pennington's Battery. The little battalion which
comprised only seventy sabres, formed in column of fours, and charged up a lane
which was occupied by the right of the Confederate line. They dashed through the
enemy and into the field beyond, where the rebel reserve was drawn up. Unheeding
the storm of bullets that assailed them, the tmdaunted little troop dashed into the
enemy's ranks and cut its way through.
"Seeing the color-sergeant of the Fifty-fifth Virginia fall wounded, I sprang
from my horse and seized the colors. As I remounted, I heard the wounded color-
bearer say : 'You Yanks have been after that old flag for a long time, but yon
never got it before.' While we were forming up to charge them again from their
rear, the Confederates threw down their arms, and we marched 400 prisoners from
the field.
"General Kilpatrick examined the captured flag, and found on it the names of
all the great battles of the Army of the Northern Virginia. The guard ordered me
to join hia staff with it for the balance of the day, and in the evening Adjutant
Briggs wrote an inscription on the margin of the flag, telling how it had been cap-
tared by me."
Fining Waters, T*.— The ConfederateB uoder Lee dnwn up Id line of battle on the crest of a bill, one
mile and a half rrom Falling Watera, were attacked Julj 14, 1863, by Kilpatrick's Third Brigade of the Army
of the Potomac, and after two hours' fighting, completely routed. The rebels loet 1,600 men in killed,
wounded and prisonerv; the Union loss was nominal.
INSUBORDINATION REWARDED
OARLS A. WOOSBUFF,
Lleuteiutnt.BoraeBBttervM.ad U.S.
Artillery.
HlghestranliatUliied:LlFnt-CDl.,tT. S. A
Bom Kt Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. B, IHl.
IT is not often that the gOTemment of a great nation
grants the highest military distinction in its power
"for distinguished gallantry," when the conspicuous
service rendered was an act committed in direct diso-
bedience of orders.
This was done in the case of Lieutenant Carle A.
Woodruff of Battery M, Second U. S. Artillery, and
Captain Smith H. Hastings of Troop M, Fifth Michi-
gan Cavalry.
The facts of the interesting occurrence are given
in Lieutenant Woodruff's language as follows :
"Early on the morning of July 24th, we marched
from Amissville, through Newby's Cross-Eoads, and
struck the flank of one of the corps of Lee's army
marching from Chester Gap towards Culpepper Court
House. Our cavalry was at once deployed, and Bat-
tery M was brought into action to shell the retreat-
ing columns. Some movements on the part of the
enemy caused General Custer to hastily withdraw his command, and order a return
to Amissville. Colonel George Gray of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, with two troops
of his regiment, two of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Captain S. H.
Hastings, and my section, two guns of Horse Battery M, constituted the rear guard.
As we retired Colonel Gray led the way with his squadron, and that of Captain
Hastings brought up the rear.
"The enemy saw a chance to cut off our small com-
mand and pushed General Benning's Brigade around a
hill and up the bed of a dry stream, which crossed the
only road in our rear. Here they concealed themselves
waiting for our approach. General Benning thought
that the trap laid for the Union soldiers was complete.
He felt confident of capturing not only the guns of my
battery, but also the two squadrons of cavalry.
'"I now thought' the rebel general wrote to General
Longstreet ' we had their cannon and cavalry secured as
there was no possible way to Amissville but the road
occupied by my brigade, all others being excluded by
8. B. HABTiMOB, the mouutain and its spur.' General Benning's cal-
m''h!°t'«'I!s')imimd"coi^r''s'v' culations miscarried, for the trap which he had so
Born «1 Qulncr, Mich.. Dm. 27, IMl.
— w—
carefully planned and set failed of its purpose. As soon as Colonel Gray's squadron
came within their range the rebels rushed forth from their place of hiding and fired
a volley at point-blank range. The squadron came dashing back upon us, and in the
confusion of their flight carried the team of the leading gun with them. The
horses turned around so sharply that the gun was almost upset. Colonel Gray
called to me: 'Cut your traces, abandon your guns, and follow me.' I replied:
* I will never leave my guns.'
"We unlimbered and opened fire with canister. Just then Captain Hastings
came up with his squadron and asked : * What do you intend to do, Woodruff ? How
can I help you ? ' I answered : * Dismount some of your men, and support me.'
Another oflBcer galloped up to me at this moment. * Colonel Gray,' he said, * orders
you to cut your traces and abandon your guns, and we will try to charge through
the enemy's lines.' Again I refused to leave my guns, and turning to my command,
said : * Men, I have received orders to abandon our guns.' They all shouted : * Never
lieutenant, we will stay with you, and we will all go to Richmond together.'
" I kept our gun firing while I moved the other with ten horses and the assistance
of dismounted cavalry, over a piece of marshy ground to my left. Then we opened
fire with that gun, while we returned with the horses for the other. The pieces were
moved alternately to the left, a little at a time, until we got them on the fiank of
the enemy, and commanding the bed of the stream they occupied. After about two
hours of this work, we succeeded in reaching the main body of our command, having
held off a whole brigade of the enemy.
"When I reached General Custer, I dismounted, and reported that my men and
guns were safe. The general, who was lying down at the time, sprang to his feet
and embraced me. He told me he had sent the First Michigan Cavalry and Hamil-
ton's section of Horse Battery M down the road to try and open communication
with us. Colonel Gray and his command reported to General Custer after I did,
having in his retreat dei^cribed a much larger circle than we."
Captain Smith H. Hastings of Co. M, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, who shares in a
large measure in the success of the engagement and likewise was decorated with the
Medal of Honor, has little to add to Lieutenant Woodruff's version :
" I heard Woodruff reply to Colonel Gray," says he, " that he would never abandon
his guns, and rode up to him, asking whether I could help him.
" Lieutenant Woodruff ran ahead to assist Sergeant Flood in unlimbering our
gun and shouted, that he wished me to dismount my men and help him out. I did
not hesitate a moment, but immediately decided to stand by the brave lieutenant.*'
Success crowned the united efforts of both oflBcers. Speaking of General Custer,
to whom Captain Hastings reported, he says : " The general was a mighty pleased
soldier that evening, because, by disobeying orders. Lieutenant Woodruff, myself
and our brave comrades had preserved intact the record of General Custer's brigade
— ^never to have permitted the enemy to capture from it a single piece of artillery/*
"THE FLAG NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND.'
O"
■^N the 18th of July, about noon," writes Private
William H. Carney of the Fifty-fourth Mas-
sachusetts Volunteers, "we began to draw near Fort
Wagner under a tremendous cannonading from the
fleet. When within about a thousand yards of the
fort we halted and lay flat on the ground waiting
for the order to charge.
"The order came, and we had advanced but a
short distance, when we were opened upon with
musketry, shell and canister, which mowed down
our men right and left. When the color-bearer was
disabled, I threw away my gun and seized the colors,
making my way to the head of the column, but
before I reached there, the line had descended the
embankment into the ditch and was advancing upon
Fort Wagner itself
"Going down the embankment our commn was
stanch and full. As we ascended the breastworks
the ranks showed dreadful gaps made by the enemy's fire. In less than twenty
minutes I found myself alone struggling upon the ramparts, while all around me lay
the dead and wounded piled one upon another. As I could not go into the fort
alone, I knelt down, still holding the fl^ in my hands. The musket balls and grape
shot were flying all around me, and as they struck, the sand would fly in my face.
I knew my position was a critical one and wondered how long I should remain undis-
covered.
"Finding at last that our force had renewed the attack fariher to the right, and
the enemy's attention was drawn thither, I turned to go, when I discovered a bat-
talion coming toward me on the ramparts. As they advanced in front of me I
raised my flag and was about to join them, when I noticed that they were enemies.
WnUAH H. OABMBT,
Fort VagMT, S. €•— The assault upon Fort Wagner, Morris Island, was a feature of the operations
against the harbor and islands adjoining Charleston, undertaiien by Admiral Dahlgreen with the fleet, co-oper-
ating with General Gillmore in charge of the land forces.
On the Sth of July, Morris Island was attacked by Strong's Brigade. The Confederates were driven
from all the batteries south of Fort Wagner, and most of the island abandoned to the Union men. On the
next day an attack upon the fort was made, which resulted in a repulse. Bombardment by the fleet and
the batteries on the adjacent islands commenced on the morning of the 18th, and, in the evening, a storm-
ing party, led by Colonel Shaw, (Fifty-fourth Haasachusetts) succeeded in carrying the fort, with a loss of
1,600, among whom was the colonel. One hundred and aeventy-four of the fort's defenders were killed or
wounded.
Instantly winding my Gol(»rs around the staff, I made my way down the parapet into
the ditch, which, when I had first crossed it, had been dry, but was now filled with
water that came to my waist.
"All the men who had mounted the ramparts with me, were either killed or
wounded, I being the only one left erect and moving.
"Upon rising to determine my course to the rear, I was struck by a bullet, but,
as I was not prostrated by the shot, I continued my course. I had not gone very
far, however, before I was struck by a second ball.
"1 KNELT DOWN, STILL HOLDING THE FLAG tN MV HANDa"
"Soon after I met a member of the One-hundredth New York, who inquired if I
was wounded. Upon my replying in the affirmative, he came to my assistance and
helped me to the rear. While on our way I was again wounded, this time in the
head, and my rescuer then offered to carry the colors for me, but I refused to give
them up, saying that no one but a member of my regiment should carry them.
" We passed on until we reached the rear guard, where I was put under charge
of the hospital corps, and sent to my regiment. When the men saw me bringing in
the colors, they cheered me, and I was able to tell them that the old flag had never
touched the ground."
A BRAVE BUGLER
B^
JOBBFB 0. B1B80N,
Prtvate,Co.C,48lh New York Infuntry.
Born tn London, England, August 8, ISIS.
^UGLER Joseph C. Hibson of Company C,
Forty-eighth New York Infantry, was
only twenty years old, when he earned his
Medal of Honor. It was awarded to him for
risking his life to save his comrades from
being shot down by their own supports, and
afterwards, when his arm had been shattered,
saving the regimental colors from falling
into the hands of the enemy.
"On the evening of July 18th, after an
all-day bombardment by the army and navy,
the assault on Fort Wagner was made.
We crossed the moat and engaged in a hand-
to-hand fight with the Thirty-first North
Carolina in their outer works. They soon
weakened, and we drove them from the
southeast bastion, which we held under a
terrible cross fire. Ee-enforcementa were sent
to our support, but by some blunder, they mistook us for the enemy and poured a
destructive volley into us. We could not live under the three fires, and something
had to be done to stop the fire in our rear. I ran down into the moat and told ouj
men there of the terrible blunder they were making and on this errand was shot in
the elbow.
"Having stopped the fire in our rear, I returned to the crest of the fort to find
Color-Sei^eant George G, Sparks, severely wounded, the color staff shot in two, and
all the color-guard either killed or wounded. I picked up the colors with my unin-
jured hand, but just at that moment the Confederates made a determined assault
on us. We managed to repulse the assault, but I received two additional wounds;
the bone of my left forearm was completely shattered, and I was wounded in the
head by pieces of a shell that burst near me. My scalp was torn and the blood was
running into my eyes.
" Lieutenant James Barrett took command of the regiment, all the other officers
being killed or wounded, and ordered a retreat, I gave the colors into safe hands,
and, my mission ended, went into the hospital."
Hibson recounts another incident which occurred prior to this, on the evening of
July 13th. He says:
"During the bombardment of Fort Wagner, I, a musician, was not required to
become actively engaged, but went about seeking excitement. I volunteered to take
the place of a sick comrade who had been allotted to a vidette. Shortly after mid-
night some indistinct forms sprang up out of the darkness, and Daniel Kane, my
comrade on guard, was stabbed with a bayonet. A voice hissed in my ear the word
'Surrender,' but instead of doing so, I brought my rifle to the 'Shorten arms' and
fired without tak- ing aim. The rebel fell at my feet. I rammed another
charge of powder k. into my rifle, but the bullet slipped through my fingers
and the other V Confederate, who, by this time had risen, charged upon
me. I turned /1^» '^^^'^ ^'^'^ ^"^ '^^^ "^^ P'*^'*^ ^'''^^ ^^^ Confederate close
behind me, 1^^^ until one of my comrades brought him down.
•I PICKED UP
THE COLORS
WITH MY
UNINJURED
HAND."
"The following night a volunteer was called for to accompany Lieutenant
Edwards on a reconnoitering expedition. I volunteered and was accepted. After
we had gone a short distance, I lost the lieutenant, who wandered off in the darkness
and strayed back to our lines. I kept on by myself, taking an oblique course. I was
constantly falling headlong into shell holes and tripping over obstacles, and I had
finally to go down on hands and knees and crawl. Presently I heard some faint
voices ahead, and stopping to listen, heard the Copfederates shovelling a little
ahead of me and to my left. At the same moment I heard in my rear three or four
of the enemy's pickets conversing in low tones. I started to crawl back the way I
had come and nearly dropped into one of their rifle-pits. I succeeded in avoiding it,
and got away without being detected. When I returned to my regiment with my
iuformation the men gave three cheers and a tiger for 'The little bugler.'"
ALL FOR HIS MESSMATE
HBHST O. 8LUSBEB,
PBiTATB Hevrt C. Sldsheb, while a member
of Troop E, of Ringgold's Independent
Volunteer Cavalry, made a desperate attempt
single-handed to rescue a wounded comrade
from a strong party of Mosby's Guerrillas in
the Alleghany Mountains. He tells of his ad-
venture in the following words :
"On September 11, 1863, the rebels, 300
strong, under Captain McNeil, surprised the
Yankee camp of 260 men under Major Stevens,
on Cemetery Hill, at Moorefield, W. Va. At
three A. M., twenty-five men of Company E
were ordered out on the Lost River Road, up to
the South Fork of the Potomac. We met the rebels two miles south of Moorefield,
carrying off all the camp equipage and 146 prisoners. We took a position on the
west side of the river on a bluff
some thirty feet higher than the
road and the river, dismounted,
and commenced to shoot down
the horses in the ravine, killing
twenty of them, and eight or ten
men of the rebel force. At this
time I caught sight of my mess-
mate, William P. Hagner, who
had been wounded early in the
day, taken prisoner, and placed in
in an ambulance. When we shot
the horses he threw up his hands
as a signal for help. To see him
in such a predicament was too
much for me. I at once crossed
the river. My aim was to rescue
him at all hazards, and I reached
the vehicle under a heavy fire.
In a hand-to-hand fight close by
by the ambulance, I was wounded
and captured and had to share
the fate of my comrade in Libby
Prison,"
THIS BUGLER CHECKED
A ROUT
V. 3. 0AR80H.
Co.E.UthUDltedStat
OuOLBB W. J. Carson's story is in-
*-^ teresting, because it furnishes a
fine example of personal bravery, and
in addition, shows to what extent a
bngler can become an important fac-
tor in battle.
"On September 19, 1863, our bri-
gade consisting of the First Battalion
of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth United
States Infantry, the three battalions
of the Eighteenth United States In-
fantry, two battalions of the Nine-
teenth Infantry and Battery H of the
Fifth United States Artillery, was ordered to advance to a position one mile east of
Keiley's Field, Chickamauga," Bugler Carson narrates. " Just as our battery was get-
ting into position, a battery and two brigades of the enemy opened fire on us. The
short, but sharp, engagement resulted in the death of First Lieutenant H. M. Bumham,
and twelve men, the capture of thirteen men and the entire battery. In addition,
two lieutenants and sixteen men were wounded, while nearly every horse was
either killed outright, or fatally injured.
" Our infantry made a grand and noble effort to recapture the oattery, but were
driven back by the greatly superior force of the enemy. As bugler, I did all in
my power to rally and lead the men to the charge, going to the flags and sounding
'to the colors.' The brave fellows rallied, and, with the assistance of the Seven-
teenth and Ninth Ohio, the battery was retaken.
"On the following morning, our brigade was engaged with Breckenridge's Corps
in a most desperate and deadly conflict. Our battalion of 262 men were lying down
100 yards in the rear as reserves. I had picked np a gun, as was always my custom.
—During the Bummer of 1863, Gieneral RoBScrans having succeeded in forcing Bragg
Jnto Georgia, took a position at Chattanooga, on the Tennessee. Bragg, strongly re-enforced by Johnston
and Longstreet, attacked the Federal Army, September 19, at Chickamauga Creek. The first day's battle
was undecisive. On the 20th, the Confederates advanced, Longstreet on the left, Polk on the riglit, Ewell
and Johnston in the center. The Federal left wing was commanded by General Thomas, the center by
Crittenden, the right by McCook.
After the fight had lasted several hours, the TTnion battle-line was opened by General Wood, acting
under mistaken orders, and the Confederate general, forcing a column into the gap, cut the army in two
and drove the right wing from the field. General Thomas held the left until nightfall, then withdrew to
Ohattanoc^a.
The Union losses in these two days amounted to 16,861 ; the Confederate loss, 17,801.
a/nd was giving the enemy every shot I could,
when I saw one of the officers of the Eigh-
teenth skulking back from tree to tree. I
went through the rows of our men and sent
him back at the point of the bayonet.
"The conflict began, when Beattie's Bri-
gade gave way and 'was driven back by an
overwhelming force of the enemy. The left
of our brigade became exposed and likewise
gave away. Finally the whole line was com-
ing back in disorder. Try as they would, the
officers were powerless to check the rout. I
threw down my gun, rushed out some thirty
yards to the color-bearer of the Eighteenth
and said to him : ' Let us rally these men,
or the whole left is gone.' The brave fellow
stopped and waived his flag. I sounded 'to the
colors.' The men cheered. They rushed into
line. Still sounding the rally, I passed back and
forth in front of the forming line, and what a
few minutes before seemed like a hopeless
and disastrous rout, now turned out to be
a complete victory. The retreat had been
checked and the enemy driven back with
awful slaughter. So severe was their repulse,
that within a few minutes we were firing to-
wards our rear into the enemy who were
pressing Beattie's troops hack. I noticed a
color-bearer of the Second Ohio running with
his men out of the woods on the north side of
Kelley's Field. 1 headed him off and ex-
horted him to stop, which he promptly did.
Then I once more sounded 'to the colors' and
many a brave soldier halted, but as the en-
emy appeared at the edge of the timber and
poured a deadly volley into us, all broke and
ran like good fellows. We sought shelter at
the east of the timber and fired into the en-
emy from a temporary defense of logs and
rails. After two hours of hard fighting and
receiving re-enforcements our lines were once
I took an inventory of myself and found ten
"I SOUNDED 'TO THE COLORS '"
more formed and straightened ont.
bullet holes in my clothes; three
bullets bad pierced my bat and one had struck and slightly wounded my left
arm. We held our position until the last cartridge was gone, and at about 6:30
o'clock were taken prisoners."
It was not known till long afterwards that the Fourtwentb Corps owed its de-
liverance from annihilation to Bugler Carson. General Bragg had ordered a charge
on the Federal position at 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon, and if it had been de-
livered at that time the rebels could have broken the left of the defense and got in
the rear of General Thomas' men who were holding Snodgrass Hill. The destruc-
tion of the Fourteenth Corps would have been inevitable, for both McCook's and
Critlander's Corps had been swept from the field. But the rebels were deceived by
the bugle calls, and thought they signalled the arrival of heavy re-enforcements, so
they delayed the final blow till they had collected all the forces at hand. This took
nearly three hours, and by the time the final charge was delivered, and the littJe
defending force crushed by weight of numbers, the Northern Army was . well on
its way to Chattanooga.
PLANTED THE COLORS AND RALLIED THE
REGIMENT
"W-
Then General Bra^, the commander of the
Confederate Army at Chickamauga, was
making a desperate effort to gain possession of the
'State or Lafayette Road,'" Serjeant George S.
Myers relates, "the One hundred and first Ohio
Regiment, was fighting with its brigade on what
was then the right flank of the Union Army, which
rested on the Vineyard Farm. An irresistible force
of the enemy bore down upon this point, crushing
the right of the One hundred and first Ohio, killing
and capturing many men of the right companies,
and compelling the entire line to fall back in some
confusion.
"All of the color-guards were killed, wounded or
captured within a few minutes: the color-bearer
went down with a bullet through his head, and the
colors were thus almost in the hands of the enemy. I sprang back, secured the
precious flag, and, instead of continuing the retreat, ran boldly forward and planted
the colors on a knoll in the face of the Confederate line. The regiment responded
OBOBOB 8. KTBBS,
to my initiative and the enemy was temporarily repalsed. I was wounded, how-
ever, and, after taming over the colors to Colonel Messer, was taken from the field.
"To illustrate the fierceness of the battle on that part of the line, it may be
added that after the engagement, all that was left of Company A, of this regiment,
was Captain Bryant and three men. Company F, of which I was a member, had
only two men left to answer to the roll call."
Sergeant Myers' gallant act was characterized by his superiors as one of the
bravest in their experience.
CAPTURED A CONFEDERATE MAJOR
whlum b. biohst,
Qbegbakt Wiijjam E. Riohbt, of Company A, Fifteenth
*^ Ohio Infantry, was the hero of a rare cccnrrence at
the battle of Ohickamaoga, to-wit : the capture of a rebel
major on the immediate front of the enemy's lines. The
story is told by Sergeant Richey as follows :
"At the beginning of the battle of Chickamauga, General
R. W. Johnson's Division was ordered to support General
Thomas, whose corps constituted the left of the Union line
of battle. The march of Johnson's men to the position of
Thomas was a rapid one; the men going almost on a run,
their steps being quickened by the sound of artillery and
small arms, as the battle had just begun on the left.
"Johnson's men had been marching over mountains,
hills and valleys for more than a month, and now, weary, foot-sore and covered with
dust, they were hastening to the scene of conflict on the banks of the historic Chick-
amauga.
" The division went into battle about noon, September 19th, at Kelly's farm, facing
toward the east, Willich's Brigade constituting the right of the division.
"Advancing through the woods, the division soon became ei^ged and furiously
assaulting the enemy's lines, drove the rebels about a mile and captured five pieces
of artillery which had been doing much damage.
"The division continued to drive the enemy until Willich's Brigade halted near a
small field. The division had advanced so far that there was no connection or sup-
port on either the right or left. Firing had ceased and the enemy disappeared. It
was now late in the afternoon. However, a little before dark, the rebels, lai^ely
re-enforced, made another furious attack on Johnson's Division, which met a deter-
mined resistance. The air was rent with cannon balls, shells, canister, grape and
bullets and the twilight was lurid with the fire of battle. This terrible conflict had
the effect of throwing
the regimenta of Wil-
lich's Brigade into one
solid line, sending death
and disorder into the
Confederatu ranks,
where firing soon
ceased. For a while
then there was a lull in
the hattle. At this
time I was sent to the
front with a party of
coiiuades, to observe
tiie enemy and learn, if
possible, the exact situ-
ation on our front.
" Subsequently I ad-
vanced and was soon
between the lines of
battle of the two armies.
Presently I saw an offi-
cer on horseback ap-
proaching me from the
right, only a short dis-
tance from me. We
were no sooner side by side, than I discovered that we were enemies. As quickly as
I could, I said to the man on horseback, in a loud, bold tone : ' You are my prisoner;-
surrender, or I will blow out your brains.'
"Instantly the officer reached for his pistol, but, pointing my weapon at him, I
repeated my demand with increased determination and ordered him to dismount.
He complied and became my prisoner.
" He was a rebel major, who had been endeavoring to arrange the Confederate
lines of battle. While doing so, he had ridden outside of his lines and come in con-
tact with me, supposing his men to be on the ground which his captor occupied."
Sergeant Richey brought his prisoner to his lines, where he was highly com-
mended for his bold and brave act.
"YOU ARE MY PRISONER."
INDISCRETION BROUGHT ARREST— BRAVERY
SECURED RELEASE
Marcb 13. ia&.
"Okeobant Heed, you are under arrest ! "
*^ With these words a sei^eant of the guard ap-
proached Firsit Sergeant A. H. Reed, who, with a com-
rade, was at supper under a "pup-tent" fly. Sergeant
Reed at first considered the remark a joke, but the other
soon convinced him that he was in earnest by placing
him under arrest. It appeared, that, while encamped at
Winchester, Tenn., July, 1863, Sergeant Reed had pub-
licly and indiscreetly criticised the food of the Union
soldiers. This constituted a breach of discipline and
was punished accordingly. Sergeant Reed was arrested.
He asked for a speedy trial. Instead, he was deprived
of arms and accoutrements, and was marched off with
his regiment over the Cumberland Mountains across
the Tennessee River to the plains of Chickamauga, where
. Bragg's Confederate forces were concentrating. An all-
night march brought them close to the enemy early Saturday morning, September 19.
The regiment unslung knapsacks, put them in a pile and left them under guard with
the prisoners, of whom Sei^ant Reed ^^as one, while the regiment itself hurried
oft to meet the enemy.
'•Soon the musketry began to rattle and cannons to boom," Sergeant Reed in
telling of his interesting experience narrates, '"I said to the. guard and another
soldier under arrest, that I felt as though we ought to be at the front helping the
'boys.' ■ If the oflicers are foolish enough to place me under arrest, I propose to stay
where I belong — in the rear," the other replied. I observed, that, in my opinion, the
Government had fed. drilled and paid us for just sach an occasion as this, and
should not be blamed for the actions of a few foolish officers. At any rate, I in-
tended to take part in the fray. At first I attempted to persuade the guard, an old
Prussian soldier, to give me his gun, but he said: 'Oh no. I keep my own gun.'
And the old fellow remained firm in his refusal.
" I then started out alone, following the ambulance and sound of guns, until I
found my regiuieut. lying down and under fire. I did not have to wait long before
Bristol $totl«B.— Early in October. General Meade. wboK force wu about 8S.000. formed a pUo of
Attack against Lee. who. with an inrerior force, was also preparing for action. On ihe Uih. Lee advanced
from Warrenion. Va.. in two columns. HiU. on the left, waa ordered to strike the railroad at Bmtol
SUtion. When he reached this point, all of Meade's army had passed it. with the escepiion of Warren's
Corps, with which he at oace engaged in action. HiU was driven back, with a loijd of 450 men. laken
pritoners. and five guDS.
a man was wounded some distance to my right. I ran up to him, got his gun, and
returned to my company. Soon our lieutenant was wounded, which left but one
commissioned officer with the company. It now became my duty to act in his place,
which I did, bat nevertheless I used the musket throughout the two days' fight."
In recognition of this proof of true devotion to duty General Thomas issued
a special order releasing him from arrest and restoring him to duty.
At the storming of Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863, Sergeant Reed's regi-
ment was placed in the front line covering Van Dever's Brigade, of Baird's Division,
Fourteenth Army Corps. In the absence of a coraraissioned officer, he was placed in
command of his company, which was the center and color company of the regiment
"We were to move forward," Sergeant Reed goes on to tell, "on the first line of
the enemy's works at the foot of the ridge, at the signal of the firing of three can-
nons. This was done and the line of works were carried without much trouble.
"Where the remnant of my company went over the works, two cannons were
captured. I ordered the pieces turned on the fleeing enemy, but no ammunition
could be found. I dashed off to the left in an oblique course and soon came upon two
rebels who had just hitched four iron gray horses to a caisson. I demanded their
surrender, but was refused, and aiming at a man on one of the horses, fired. As I
was reloading, a Minie ball shattered my arm from elbow to shoulder. I fell and
lay within a few rods o£ where the horses and caisson stood, until firing ceased, and
the enemy fled, when I got a wounded soldier to help me put a tourniquet on my
arm to stop the flow of blood, and then walked to the foot of the ridge, from
where I was taken to a hospital in Chattanooga, Tenn.
mLLUM a. WHITKZT,
UeatcTikDt. Co. B. nth Ulch. lot.
Highest nnkktUlned: CKpWln.
Born Id Allen. HIllBdata Co.. Mich.,
IXC. u. mo.
AMMUNITION FROM THE DEAD
T lEDTBNANT WiiLiAH G. Whitnet, of Company B, Elev-
'-' enth Michigan Infantry, tells of a unique way of re-
plenishing the empty cartridge pouches of the men of
his company as follows :
"Noon of the 20th of September, 1863, found our
brigade — Stanley's — Negley's Division, Thomas' Corps,
on Snodgrass Hill, a part of Missionary Ridge. We were
about 120 yards east of the Snodgrass House. The bri-
gade consisted of the Nineteenth Illinois, Eighteenth Ohio
and Eleventh Michigan, about 700 men, placed in line of
battle as follows: Nineteenth Illinois on the right,
Eleventh Michigan on the left, and the Eighteenth Ohio
in reserve. We were expected to repel the assault
of Preston's and Kershaw's Divisions of Confederate
infantry. Their losses alone during the afternoon were twenty per centum more than
the whole number of our brigade. During a lull in the storm of battle we threw
np a temporary breastwork of stone, rails and logs. About 5 P. M., after repulsing
five successive charges of the enemy, we found ourselves without ammunition. The
enemy were about 100 yards in oar front, preparing for another chaise, and their
sharpshooters were firing at every man who showed his head above our light works.
Their dead and wounded lay in great numbers, right up to our works. They were
I HURRIEDLY PASSED ALONG THE FRONT, CUTTING OFF -
armed with Enfield rifles of the same calibre as our Springfield rifles. I don't know
what prompted me, but I took my knife from my pocket, stepped over the works,
and, while my company cheered and the rebels made a target of me, I hurriedly
passed along the front, cutting off the cartridge boxes of the dead and wounded, and
threw them over to my company. Thus I secured a few rounds for each of my men.
The enemy made one more chaise and was again repulsed. Darkness settled down
on us, and ended the terrible battle of Chickamauga."
THE STORMING OF VIGKSBURG.
y
■^ k-.
"PICK OFF THE ARTILLERISTS!"
M0BB8 VEALS,
THX battle of Wauhatchie, Tenn., on October
28, 1863, was fought by General J. W.
Geary, commanding the Second Division of the
TwelfthArmy Corps, against General Longstreet's
Division of General Lee's Army Corps.
General Geary had at his disposal, about 1,500
men, all told.
The presence of the rebels was well known to
General Geary, but his position was difficult to
ascertain. The first information on this score
waa furnished by a woman who told one of the
officers that the rebels were gathered at the foot
of Lookout Mountain. General Geary ordered
picketa to be placed and enjoined the utmost
vigilance upon the regimental commanders.
Shortly after midnight the Union outposts
gave the alarm and the entire command was put
under arras at once. A fitful moon cast but a dim light, sufficiently only to see a
body of men at a distance of no more than 100 yards, and during the subsequent
fierce fight the whereabouts of the combatants could be revealed only by the flashes
of the firearms. The Federal position was not a very favorable one. No pro-
tectioii was offered, except a fence, which, was improved under fire, into a rude
breastwork. For three hours the contest raged along the whole line.
"Pick off the artillerist!" the rebels exclaimed. Captain C. A. Atwell, who
commanded one section of artillery, fell, mortally wounded ; Lieutenant E. R.
Geary, commander of the other section, son of the general, was killed. The men
and horses fell so rapidly that only two guns could be worked after the attack,
Still the men refused to yield to the rebel onslaught. General Geary's men stub-
bornly maintained their ground and held the enemy at bay by a death dealing fire.
Among the most gallant of the leaders was Captain Moses Veale of Company P,
One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, who was in the thickest of the fight.
He and his men fought near one gun of the battery at the most critical period of
the battle. General Geary speaks of his coolness, zeal, judgment and courage in the
most flattering expressions. The Captain was struck four times by the enemy's
bullets, one ball passing through his right shoulder. His horse, too, was shot from
under him, but, nevertheless the brave soldier refused to give up or leave his post.
He remained at the head of his company, directing its telling fire, until the enemy
realizing their numerical strength availed them nothing as against such bravery
and valor, retired and left the victors of that bloody night.
HE SAVED HIS GUNS
A-
WILLIAM MABLAin},
LlcutCDant. 2nd Indptwndenl BbI-
lery. Msxa. L. A.
HighMt renkallaliied : Brevet-
^ H iNSTAHos where light artillery charged a body of
cavalry and mounted infantry, and scored a com-
plete success, occurred at Grand Coteau, La., 1868. The
Second Independent Battery, Massachnsetts Light Artil-
lery, accomplished this extraordinary feat. How it was
done is told by Lieutenant William Marland.
"In obedience to orders," he narrates, ''to report to
General Burbridge with two pieces of artillery, I har-
nessed up at 4 A. M. on November 3, 1863 ; remained so
for fully seven hours, when I was ordered to unharness ;
the pickets firing all the while. About two hours later,
Mirchu.jBM. at 12:45 P. M. the firing became general. Hearing the
cavalry buglers blow 'boots and saddles' I began to harness up on my own responsi-
bility, but was attacked in camp before I could get harnessed. The enemy being
within 400 yards of me, I opened on them with canister and percussion shell, which
checked their advance and drove them to the right. I limbered to the front and ad-
vanced to the fork of the road, which is about 100 yards, went into battery and fired
a few shots until all my support had left me. Finding it too warm, I limbered to the
rear and moved about 300 yards. Discovering the enemy in my rear and on my
right, I fired to the right about fifty shots and was charged upon on three sides.
Thus we were completely surrounded. To add to the seriousness of the situation,
I discovered that my support had left me and been captured.
"Here we were — a mere handful, surrounded by an overwhelming force of
mounted troops! I sent my orderly to see if the enemy held the bridge. He came
back and reported that they did. I moved to the edge of the timber and found the
enemy drawn up in line. Only one course was now open to us — to cut our way
through their lines. My mind was quickly made up. I gave the order: 'Limber to
the rear; caissons to the left of pieces; cannoneers in line with lead drivers; draw
revolvers and charge ! ' We made straight for the rebels. Strange to say, they broke
right and left. We dashed through the gap thus made and cut our way with only
two of our men taken prisoners. The enemy drove us two miles till we reached the
commands of Generals- Cameron and McGinnis, who were hastening to our support."
Grand ColeAn, La.— On the morning of Korember 3, 1863, the Confederates attacked the Third Divi-
flion, Thirteenth .^rniy CorjUi, under command of General Burbridge, in overwhelming force. Tlie impetus
of the rebel attack at first drove the Union men biick in some confusioD. The timely arrival of re-enforce-
mente enabled General Burbridge not only to check the further advance of the enemy, but to drive them
oS the ground already gained. The Union loes though eligbt.wasflomewbatgreater than that of the enemy.
No more fitting tribute to the gallantry, vim and determination of Lieutenant
Marland can be paid than is expressed by General C. C. Washburn, who, in his
official report, reports the incident thus : " The bringing ofE of the section of Nim's
battery, commanded by Lieutenant Marland, after the regiment sent to its support
had surrendered, extorted the admiration of every beholder."
^ "^^
^^^IKb^^^^^^IBb^^^^^^k > jjtj
"^^^^ - "~"^^^^H
"WE DASHED THROUGH THEIR LINES."
A MURDEROUS FIGHT IN THE DARK
/''^APTAiN Walter G. Mokrill of the Twentieth Maine Infantry, won his Medal of
^^— ' Honor at the battle of Rappahannock Station, November 7, 1863.
The Confederate position at that point was skillfully chosen. It was a fortified
semi-circle on the north bank of the Rappahannock, just above the point where the
old Orange and Alexander Railroad crosses the river. The Confederate right of these
entrenchments was at the bank of the river upon a sharp bluff, within a few yards
of the railroad itself ; thence following the crest of hills along the river these en-
trenchments swept off up-river until they again reached the bank of the water
course a third of a mile further up. In front of the position, and on all sides, the
ground was open for three-quarters of a mile, with absolutely nothing to cover the
approach of troops. The main body of General Lee's army was immediately south
of the Rappahannock; the Third. Fifth
and Sixth Corps of Meade's army ap-
proached the position from the north and
east. Back of the Confederate entrench-
ments the.river was too deep to ford, but
the position was reached from the south
bank by a pontoon bridge, where Confed-
erate artillery was trained to sweep the
approaches to the works, which were held
by two brigades of General Jubal A. Ear-
ly's Division.
The Union forces, across the open
ground, were compelled to approach this
I>osition cautiously, and with skirmishers
only. Over the vast plain down the river and below the railway, came the skirmish
line of the Fifth Corps, those nearest the works of the enemy being men from the
Twentieth Maine, commanded by Captain Morrill, They approached the right flank
of the Confederate position. Directly in front of the works were skirmishers from
the Sixth Corps, consisting of five companies o! the Sixth Maine who joined their
line at the railway. Slowly the Confederate skirmishers were pressed back until they
were driven into the works, over a bare and bleak field. A road about 150 yards
from the entrenchments was reached by the Sixth Maine, and under the cover of a
shallow ditch a long halt was made. Captain Morrill advanced his men and kept
in touch with the other troops at the railway. As darkness approached, the
akirmish line of the Sixth Maine was doubled with the other five companies, and
General D. A. Russell, commanding, sent word along the line thus formed that they
were to assault and carry the enemy's works in front. The undertaking was
perilous to the last degree, and impossible except In a wild transport of sublime
heroism. There were no orders for Captain Morrill's men to join in this assault and
share its perils and glory. Though it promised the destruction of all who engaged
in it. Captain Morrill could not see his comrades lead such a forlorn hope and not
go with them. He explained the situation to his men and called for volunteers
to support the "Old Sixth." About fifty responded and he held them in readiness
for the advance when it came. In the fiank of the enemy's works towards him,
just across the railway and next to the river, was an open passage for a road. Cap-
tain Morrill with a quick eye and keen judgment, selected this weak point for attack.
When the dusk had deepened so that the real numbers of the assaulting line
could not be seen by the Confederates, General Russell set his little force in motion,
and with his staff, joined in the terrible chaise. The Sixth Maine's double line of
skirmishers did not number three hundred, all told. But with a yell and a "tiger"
which rent the skies and told of a force fourfold as large, they rushed to the fray.
In an instant the works in their front were a sheet of solid flame ; the air was hot
with the hiss of Minie balls; grape and canister tore and decimated their lines;
wilder and fiercer their yells rung upon the night as they rushed upon the foe.
They reached the works however, and at points drove out brave men far more num-
erous than themselves; at other points they seemed swallowed up in the masses of
their unfaltering adversaries. Gathering themselves together they kept up the fight
in groups, but it seemed as if no human courage and valor could" conquer the
works they had reached. They began to sweep aleng the works at last and gained
THEY RUSHED UPON THE FOE.
iiiomen-
ruinasthey
went. Captain
Morrill and his
little band insured
success. Dashing up-
on the enemy's Hank
through the open roadway,
no storm of lead and iron
could turn them back. The enemy feared that a great force was hammering his
flank and rear, and gave way, completing the confusion and defeat. Sweeping
along the works he so gallantly helped to empty, Captain Morrill soon joined the
"Old Sixth," and the entrenchments beyond the point where the pontoon bridge
was laid were wrested from the enemy. This cut off their own retreat and brought
new peril to the now greatly reduced Union force which had won unparalled
"'ictory. Gathering themselves together in the upper portion of their works the
('■onfptlt*ratwi liy ronnter attatik sonitht to <)ppn a ^Tay to the bridire. Minutes were
■iM iiKt^s M) ihtt lirtle littiiii whit'l) ivt>ul:stHl thecie attacks and still held rbeir ^n^ound.
'I'liH l-'iitli WisfoiiHiii i-ume up to the supp<>rt of tLe Sixth Maine, and rhec. — rhen
vii'tui'v was pliu'kfil (nnn iht* "jaws of death and rhe mouth of bell."
Otliei' t'mx't'M I hell adviiui'tHi :wui reeeived rhe surrender of the penned up eneiuv
with lirtle un-rlu'r liuhtiiiif. There were captured eight tattle daira. rour pieces of
ikrtillorv and l.titH* tiieii.
-FORM ON ME'
id
yMtBUUCK^r. iWtTT.
L"
lO'ieKtifi
;hwr oitTf
MW<rt> •■(■»■
*ot«irh ^lii'
'^tki^ '. I
t.^Hiaji -u
^kiii';i^i'.-'-
KrTESAXT-tAiLosEL f. W. SiTirt. if -he -^trpu-
leeuth Miehiaan [nfanrry. \vnn 'ud :ne*iai ty
-eizimerhe 'idors nfter'liree color- ^>earers lau >eea,
-lioT town, .uid '.-aiUnnic rhe :-eimnear. vtucii uui
•ettime ietuoraiizeti .ind 'vus :u inunineat iamcr
>i ■apnire. 'Hie af'.ueiit n'cuxred >n. Vi-vim!:- t-r 'J\
'Sti;i. ■Jt'iierai 'iiirnside. -.Th-O 'vus "n. ■oniriLiiiu >i ^he
':non ('n-e^ n 'Jasrerti reunessee. t:is etcz c-rrt^i
[ iicii "iv 'ifnerai ■^on^zstnvr. vKf lau 'rum rrfi-t- r.
ifteeu ''htiii:^aud nen. uore ■han. n.'iifii? .i-irrj^-Mt -
cnw 'Jurnsiue lau n.uvp»i ii* i:ric uiri" v- \:::r-
M'STv flow 'joaaon. vith "he cten^ioii -r r"-*';::-
^1 11:4 jjiiiCftiiMft nnti -niiisiUi: he ivcr "!:»- " _■_■!!
Vimwitsiimered 'O itHiire ^o^vapii liii'-x:-.:.-. y\vj-: t
■.imajrn'ft. IJetore iavi^rettk mhe'tith. ■fi-''^ ^'■•- _:.i"l
-iipiM!'-'! vl '..o'.iuir. i/iiii iii'rt» -hail 'Ue uiii'irt-i vdiji-> ..;...
■ne»i. he tiiimais le'.ui: r^e-i o tnut "ht- £t;iL; -■; :■: "a'..:
• lit* iestTncriiiii tr hf -tores iuu Mntnun-tti.-' t;-,- -^-ii.-
iftactitxj
fcs fttninani -r ht- 'niia.t.ie.
!■ i> -m>;t:; iav-n -sirTiu.?fi-r«
ill' I
■UK It^
regiment across the creek and up the slope on the east side, hut he understood his
orders to mean that he must hold the creek at all hazards. The men became
demoralized, and were already crossing the creek without orders.
" Fearing a stampede, I assumed the responsibility of moving the regiment across
the creek and up to the top of the hill on the other side. One of the color-guard was
killed, another had his eye shot out, and a third was seriously wounded. Seeing the
colors fall, I snatched them up and called to the men : ' We have fallen back just
far enough; we will form here.'
"Some one asked: 'Who shall we form on ?' and I replied: 'Form on me.
"The men obeyed and formed rapidly in order,
and were able with a well directed firo to check
the advance of the enemy, who had cros;:;ed the
ravine, and were now advancing at the charge. A
counter charge was made by our regiment, and
the enemy fled precipitately, after wliich we re-
sumed our retreat slowly and in good order.
"Sergeant Morgan Dowling, who was taken
prisoner in the old distillery, where we had left
a party of sharpshooters to check the enemy's
advance, told us afterwards that our charge
had produced a wonderful result. He said *
that the enemy had run
back in a panic, and did
not stop till they had
reerossed the creek.
"At the time our
charge was delivered,
General Longstreet had
alighted on the further
bank of the creek to
question the prisoners
and when he saw his
men running in con-
fusion, he galloped off
and ordered up the re-
serves. A moment after
he had ridden away, a
shot from our cannon
struck the exact spot
where he had been
standing." "we will form here.
RISKED THE DEATH OF A SPY
QiiBGKANT CoBNBUDs M. Hadlbt. of the Ninth
*^ Michigan Cavalry, earned his Medal of
Honor by a bold and venturesome trip into the
enemy's country in the di^r°ise of a Confed-
erate to deliver dispatches eotnisted to him.
Had he been captured in this disgnise. his fate
would have been that of a spy^hanged at the
gallows.
Sei^eant Hadley, in recalling the incidents
of his journey, says :
"l-reneral Wilcox was commanding the
forces in and around Cumberland iTap. in
November, 1863, when he received a dispatch
from General 1 1 rant at Chattanooga, to l)e forwarded to General Bumside. who was
besieged m Kuoxville. Tenn.. with all his communications cut. The dispatch read:
OOBMEUm M. OAOLXT,
itSMiiy Onfk.iii'wf((m.V.,.N. Y.. April al.
1 die L'ldC. tuul i[ succ<?98ful. 1
iminediateiy i
tht' reiLcf .)f Knax-
" General Wilcos instructed Brigadier-*jeneral Gerrard to chooise two sergeants of
the Ninth Michigan Cavalry, and two from the Seventh Ohio, ro carry the dispatch
into Kuoxville. Serareant Rowe and I were aent for. When we arrived ;it head-
quarters, we found the two Ohio sergeants. The general read the dispatch ;ind
asked us if we were willing to run the risk of carrying it into Knox^iile. We
consented, and were -^ent on our mission without further instructions. A dissruiae
and meeting at rhe Cllnfh River was agreetl on. My bunkmate. brought me a L' on-
federate uniform that we had captured a few dara before, and as I started off in
the rain and dark, he said: ' [ shall never see you again. What .^hall I tell rour
relatives .' ' { i-eplied : " Tell them that E never showed the white feather.'
"We met ;ir Cliuch River, a mile oat of camp, and I was disappointed to -iee rhat
the Ohio l)oys were wearing full uniform. They could not geta disguise, iinil aeither
could Howe. We crossed the mountains and Holston Biver together and then
separated, the *)hiuajis taking one road and Howe and I another.
•' Hant riding had used up my horse at H P. Ml, and I had to bomiw another
from a f>tahie near by. the owner protesring. Xt four o'clock we passed New Market.
and were now ivithin .sound of our artillery, but with two rivera and mie range
of raoimtaius to cross, and twenty thousand rebels to pass. We succewle*! in ■;r'is»-
Ing Bull Mountain aud French Broad River, then going south of the city. \\h jTai-hed
our lines near Knoxvillo. Here Sei^eant Sowa was taken sii^k. aud I mde aiuno
into the city, reaching General Bumside's headquarters at 9 P. M.. after hu'.iug ^leeu
continually in the sailule for nineteen hours.
— 281 —
" I expected to remain in Knoxville until the siege was raised, and was surprised
when General Burnside asked me to undertake to return with dispatches at four
o'clock in the morning. Taking me into a private room, he produced four dispatches
written on tissue paper, one to General Wilcox, one to General Grant, one to
the Secretary of War, and one to Mrs. Burnside, in Rhode Island, and placing them
in my revolver, he said : ' Sergeant Hadley, if captured, be sure to fire off your revol*
ver before surrendering.'
" After passing the last picket, I found Sergeant Rowe better and determined to
return with me. I cannot tell how long we manoeuvred before we got through the
enemy's lines, but all at once, about two o'clock in the morning, as we were descend-
ing Clinch Mountain, we discovered the camp fires of some rebels, and had gone out
but a few steps when we were ordered to * Halt.' We turned to retreat, but a volley
was fired at us. Our horses being jaded, the rebels gained on us, so we determined
to dismount, and foot the rough mountain.
"Rowe thought he could evade the rebels by lying down, but they stumbled over
him, and he was captured and sent to Andersonville. As for me, I could take no
chances, for I was wearing a Confederate uniform and I knew I would be executed
as a spy if I was caught. I kept on around the side of the mountain till I was
exhausted and could not go a step farther. I found a big hollow log that had been
split open, and I lay down in that with my revolver under my head.
" When I awoke it was daylight and I could hear the rebel pickets talking close
by me; they had captured our horses and were looking for me. I was relieved when
I heard their oflBcers calling them in. Watching my chance I crept down the
mountain, passed between their pickets, and crossed the road about eighty rods from
their main camp.
"I came to a house which fortunately was occupied by a Union woman. She
told mp that her husband was hiding in the mountain, and that the rebels had
searched her house for him three times that morning. She pointed out a ravine, by
following which I could get across the valley without being seen, and strike the
timber. I followed her directions and came to a road at the other end of the timber.
While I was considering which direction I should take, a rebel horseman came rid-
ing slowly along. I dropped on one knee and drew my revolver on him, but he
passed within ten feet of me without seeing me.
" I got to the Clinch River at last and found it too high to swim across. There
was no ferry and no one was willing to row me across, as one bank was lined with
rebels and the other with Northern troops. Finally I got a man to attempt it, and
as we got to the other shore, a squad of Union soldiers came down to meet us. I
told them who I was, and they gave me a horse. I rode to General Wilcox's head-
quarters, where I delivered my dispatches.
"I was completely exhausted, for I had ridden and walked over 100 miles and
had tired out two horses, but was thankful to have escaped with my life, and accom-
T)lished the purpose of my journey."
THOUGH SICK, BRAVELY LED HIS MEN
JOHK J. TOPFEY.
IM LIpDtf nant. Co. G. Sad N. J. Inr.
Bom aCQuakeTHlIl, N. Y., June 1, IS14.
Tt was for an act of superlative bravery, performed
* altogether outside of the line of his duty, that the
Medal of Honor was conferred on Lieutenant John J.
TofEey, of Company G, Thirty-third New Jersey Volun-
teers, At a time when he ought to have been in the
hospital, he rushed into almost certain death to lead a
storming party, the officers of which had all been shot
down. He thus describes his feat :
" For several days prior to the battle of Chattanooga
I had been excused from duty on account of illness, and
the night before the battle the sui^eon of the regiment
ordered me into hospital, telling me that I was not able
to take part in the engagement that we were expecting,
I was determined not to be deprived of my share of the
excitement, so I tore up the permit he had given me and
We were ordered to charge a very strong position on
It was well fortified and surrounded by dense
marched with the regiment.
the extreme right of the rebel line.
woods, while in front there was an open field over which we had to charge.
"Companies I and A, as they emerged into the open, were met with a murderous
fire from the entrenched enemy and the swarms of sharpshooters in the woods and
buildings that commanded the front of the position. They were directing their
attention to the officers, and at the first fire, Captain Waldron, of Company I, was
shot down, with a bullet through his head, and Captain Boggs, of Company A, was
mortally wounded.
"Seeing their oftifer.s fall, the men became demoralized. The line wavered and
began to fall back in disorder. As these two companies hold the key to our position
Cliftttanoo)ca. — After tho battle of ChickatnauKa, Itoeocrans, in a state of Bicge at Chattanooga, Tenn,,
wftB re-en forced by Hooker with two corps, General Sherman with a division, and General Grant, who, at
this time in command of the iveBtorn armies, took the direction of affaire at Chattanoo};a.
The left wing of the Confederates rested on Lookout Mountain, tho right un Missionary Eidfie.
On the 23d of Kovember, Hooker's Corps gained a position at the mouth of Lookout Creek, facing the
mountain, and, on tho 24th, the assault was made between eiRht and nine o'clock in the morning. In two
hours, the rebel riflepits were carried. The charge was continued up the mountain in the face of a terrific
fire, and, at two o'clock. Hooker held tho position on the summit, the Confederates retreating to Mission-
ary Ridge.
The following morning Hooker renewed the battle at the Bouthwestem end of the Uidge, General
Sherman gained u l<id(;ement on the nortliuasteni declivity, while General Thomas waited at Orchard
Knob. At two o'clock. tJeneral Grant gave the order fur a general assault. The Union soldiers charged to
the summit iif ^Missionary HidRe, .md the rebels were completely routed.
Bra^K withdrew his force into Georgia, having eustaiued a loss of nearly 10,000. The Union killed,
wounded and missing were 5,618.
and were intended to lead the attack, something had to be done. Colonel George
W, Mindil ordered me to hasten to the right and take command of that part of the
line, all the officers being killed or wounded.
" I ran across the open field and reached the advance line in time to prevent it
from breaking. I reformed the line and we again charged the almost impregnable
position in the face of an accurate and deadly fire. Just as we were carrying the
position I received a severe wound, which disabled me permanently, and my military
career was brought to a close."
Colonel Mindil stated in his report to the Secretary of War, that "the superla-
tively brave conduct of First Lieutenant John J. Toftey, saved the position, and
enabled us on the following morning to press forward the entire line, and to unite
the lines of the Army of the Cumberland, with those of General Sherman's Army at
the mouth of the Chickamauga."
RISKED HIS LIFE FOR HIS COMRADES
Obegeant John Kigqins, Company D,
•^ One hundred and forty-ninth New
York Volunteers, won his Medal of
Honor by risking his life to save his
comrades, who were being fired upon
by their own batteries, at the battle of
Lookout Mountain, Tenn., November
24, 1863. Captain George K. Collins
thus describes the incident ;
" Our regiment had charged the
enemy on the heights above the Craven
House, when a Union battery in the
valley below, opened a damaging fire
upon ns, mistaking us for the enemy.
Sergeant Kiggins, color-bearer of the
regiment, advanced to a point between
the two lines, got up on a stump and
waved his flag to attract the attention
of the artillerymen, thus averting what
threatened to be a serious disaster. In
accomplishing this brave deed, he drew
the enemy's fire upon himself, and nine
bullet holes in his clothing, besides one through his cap, which left its mark upon
his scalp, and one through his thigh, attested the accaracy of the enemy's fire."
■ i
Dhuj-ip Gobttbl was a corporal of the One hundred and forty-ninth New York
' Infantry. At the battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, his regiment
made a chaise over fields and fences, through woods and swamps and
against a severe fire of the enemy. The Confederates
fidence and great in strength. They assailed
Union line with almost irresistible fierce-
was met with an unwavering front. A
was poured into the ranks, and the enemy
In the face of a steady outpouring
ter, Corporal Goettel rushed
ceeded in capturing a Confeder-
quite a daring feat, but still
to keep the trophy
were full of con-
the center of the
ness, but the onset
steady, telling fire
soon gave ground,
of grape an canis-
forward and suc-
ate flag. This was
more diflicult it was
and carry it back
to his own lines.
The rebels were not
willing to lose their
colora without making
at least a desperate attempt
to save them, and thus Cor-
poral (loettel became a verit-
able human target as he
rushed back to his ranks.
However, he escaped injury and
was at once made the recipient of
many congratulations from his
comrades and warm praises
from his superiors. A week
lapsed before Corporal
Goettel turned the cap-
tured flag over to his
quartermaster. In the heat
of engagements and fights be
had forgotten his own brave act
and the importance of his pi"ize.
AT the same battle another Confederate
„ flag was captured by Private Peter
Kappesser, of Company D, of the same
regiment. A Confederate camp in a hollow was surprised at breakfast. A brief
but extremely sharp struggle ensued. The rebel color-sergeant, with his color-guard,
was attempting to retreat under cover of some rocks. Private Kappesser boldly
rushed upon them and demanded their surrender. The rebel sergeant and his guard
were panic stricken and handed him the colors. Private Kappesser quickly tore the
flag oS the staff and thrust the bunting under liis coat. He then hastened to the
rescue of a comrade, who was. wounded and writhing in pain, and taking him upon
his back, carried comrade and flag to his own ranks. During the intensely cold
night the daring soldier wore the Confederate flag as a scarf around his neck, and
used it for this purpose until the battle of Missionary Ridge was over, when he gave
it to the commanding officer of his regiment.
NINE MEN CAPTURED BY ONE
BIMEOM T. J0B8SLTH,
U«ut«nsnt. Thirteenth IltIno[9 Infantrr.
HIi!hest rank MUlned: Captain.
Born at BuCtBlo.M. Y., Jan. U. U49.
I lEUTENANT SiMEON T. JossELYN performed the
^ extraordinary feat of capturing, single-
handed, a rebel battle flag at Missionary Ridge,
November 26, 1863, and the whole color-guard
with it. He gives this account of the incident:
"We had formed line of battle at the foot of
Missionary Ridge, and after waiting a few min-
utes we received the order to advance at double
quick. We crossed an open field and a creek
before we came in full view of the rebel lines,
near the top of the ridge. With never a chance
to regain our breath, we were pushed on under a
heavy fire. The order came to my company and another, to advance as skirmishers.
"We had approached within a short distance of the enemy's line when they
broke. I caught sight of the rebel colors with the guard, who kept well together,
and I determined to have them at any cost. My company was back of me and I
knew that, although they were somewhat scattered, the men would follow me. I
pushed on and captured a rebel, from whom I took a Springfield musket and car-
tridges, before ordering him to the rear as a prisoner.
"With the captured musket, I opened fire on the color-guard, and brought down
the color-bearer. When the flag came dovm, the men disappeared in the tall grass
and weeds. I reloaded quickly, and rushed to the spot, where I found nine men. I
was about to fire upon them again, when they waved their hats and shouted: 'We
surrender.'
"I seized the flag, which was that of the Eighteenth Alabama Infantry, and they
handed me the belt and socket. Some of my men coming up at this moment, I
plutiml hhem aa a guard over the priaoners. I then poshed forward in the direction
of lleuHral Bratfff'a headquarters near the summit of the ridge, carrying the flag
with me. The rwmaaat of the rebel army was in fall retreat, and our day's work
waa done. The belt and socket I still have in my poeaesaion as a relie."
"TMEV WAVEn THEIR MATS AND SHOUTED: "WE SURRENDER'"
VICTORY CROWNED HIS GALLANTRY
'Tb* effrHT.* of rhe Imrrle oi Chattanotiga on the 25th of ^XoTember. l><5il, were keenly
* iAt fn^ui Xikihvitlt? :o Knorrille and from Chattanooga to Motu-? ;iii'i Savun-
Oih; it wa.* a -itniirjrlc. ivnda»T^ tor the Federal side by General Geor^ H. Thooiis.
rtvmm*nder of the Army of the Cumberland, and hand:^mely won cy hizi and his
hnv<> and gallant rrtn-'pt?.
In thw battle the Thirtytifth Ohio Iniantry was attached to the Sevv^..: Br.;i3*ie oc
the Th.rvi [Hvi:i'i«>ti of the Foarteenth torp? ->f zte Army of the CumV-er',*::;'.!
Tte :-.:on.;;r.j of rhe ^Vh of XoTember or^e!.-?! -T'L-ear and brLcr.: «•.:":- ':-'ic.':'r»I
ThoniAs i: 'r.:i >.ea.i.r-iarTeTs on (>rcharii Kav't-, ■r»nfr.Ar.di:Li: a r-:",L v-.-^-w ,.-: :ie
ertinc r.e'.d.
Tr.e T>.:r: l^.^-j-u-z.cz :he Fe^irtee-th Corre bbi ::r r^? iays r^ff- -... :a— r :iz¥»?-
<jaarter« of a ;-.:■.> ir. fr:-: o' For; Pielrni- t.:'- .-i > -* re^^-r-ir ■.: :r.f K.'.v. y..ii-i i:i;i
it» r^ht Kt^ar T'-r- ■:!:=.'* &-^ifc A':*::^ ei^J:: <"rl-Li>£ :■!■;■ Tl^ry-ir^ Cc.-.\ Iif-:3-
tenant-CSolonel Henry Van N. Boynton, commander, was
deployed along the front and advancing about a mile,
strongly opposed. The enemy had drawn in its pickets
so that apon the approach of the Ohio men, several small
observation parties retired in haste. Shortly after, the
regiment rejoined its brigade and moved with the divi-
sion to a position about half a mile north of the Bald Hill,
facing and 1,200 yards distant from Missionary Ridge.
Here the Thirty-fifth Ohio was placed in the center of
the brigade on the first line. Up to four o'clock in the
afternoon this force was engaged io skirmishing with .
the enemy on the far side of the woods, when an advance
was ordered, and under a heavy fire from the enemy's
artillery on the ridge and from musketry from the lower
BoraiiiwMtsiwkhridge.MBiB., works, tho brigade dashod forward at double-quick with-
out firing a shot. When within one hundred yards
from the rifle pits the Confederates were retreating as rapidly as they could up the
precipitous ridge behind them.
Still the Thirty-fifth Ohio, with the other regiments of the brigade, moved on
steadily under a very heavy direct and enfilading fire until they were partly under
cover of the first line of works. Then the division commander ordered a charge to
the crest of the ridge, and with cheers and great energy the Third Division of the
Fourteenth Corps began a bloody ascent. The steep surface, the enemy's sharp-
shooters in front, a terrific enfilading artillery fire on both fianks did not lessen their
eager haste, so that, at last it became practically a race between the first and second
lines of the division. After numerous hand-to-hand conflicts the colors of the Second
Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, were planted on the summit of the
ridge, such of the Confederates as could do so fleeing precipitately. As the men
of the Thirty-fifth Ohio sprang over the works, cannoneers, caught loading their
pieces, were driven away, or, refusing to run, were bayoneted before they could fire
their pieces. At this point the Thirty-fifth captured three guns, after which they
joined in the pursuit of the enemy, who had retreated to the left, for nearly half a
mile.
It was during this fight that Lieutenant-Colonel Boynton fell, severely wounded,
and because of his day's experience, that officer now wears the Congressional Medal
of Honor, "For leading his regiment at Missionary Ridge, Tenn., November 25, 1864,
in tiie face of a severe fire of the enemy, where he was severely wounded."
It had been a fight before the strongest portion of Bragg's army and resulted in
a capture of one of the strongest positions in the zone of the battle. Furthermore,
it was a vindication of General Thomas and the Army of the Cumberland; and the
signal for the immediate relief of Bumside at Enoxville.
CAPTURED BATTLE-FLAGS
■yw
ROBERT B. BBOTN.
■^wo incidents occurred at the battle of Missionary
Ridge, November 24 and 25, 1863, which stand
out prominently among the many gallant deeds of
the Union soldiers engaged in that battle. In both
instances Ohio men were the heroes, and in both,
too, the capture of the Confederate colors was the
prize of courage and daring.
Private Robert B. Brown, of Company A, Fif-
teenth Ohio Infantry, secured the standard of the
Ninth Mississippi and took the standard-bearer
along with the trophy as his prisoner. Corporal
George Green, of Company H, Eleventh Ohio Infan-
try, was one of the first to scale the enemy's works,
and after a fierce hand-to-hand struggle with the
rebel color-bearer, likewise carried off the Confed-
erate flag of another rebel regiment. Both incidents are highly dramatic. Private
Brown's regiment was part of the Union force, which, on November 24, was ordered
to make a demonstration on Missionary Ridge. The line advanced to Orchard Knob
and rested there until two o'clock on the next day, when orders were given to take
the rifle pits at the foot of the ridge. The troops made the advance, and, without
meeting with serious opposition, continued up the ridge. Just as the Fifteenth Ohio
reached the crest, Private Brown espied a Confederate color-bearer. His mind was
at once set upon the possession of the rebel flag. Not heeding the severe fire, con-
centrated upon him, he ran up to the color-bearer.
"Surrender!" he shouted with a threatening gesture, which so impressed the
rebel, that he hastened to comply. Brown took the flag and the prisoner to his
commander, who was proud of the private's achievement.
Private Green's regiment, on November 25, was or-
dered out on the Rossville Road to support a section
of artillery sent to shell the camp of the enemy at
the base of Missionary Ridge. Nothing was encountered
there and the regiment subsequently returned and re-
joined the brigade. Later it moved with the brigade
and took a position in front of Fort Wood. Having
been formed in double column at half distance, the
regiment deployed, and, at a run, moved across the
open ground up Missionary Ridge and against a
severe fire of musketry and artillery. The breast-
QSORQE QKEBtr,
works of the enemy on the top of the ridge had to be taken hy storm. The Eleventh
Ohio made a bold dash for the guns. They met with a most decided resistance and
many a brave fellow lost his life in the attempt to be the first one to scale the rebel
works. Corporal Green fought with undaunted courage. Though he saw a number
of his comrades killed at his aide, he bravely approached the works, and— with one
daring leap, hounded into the rebel fortifications. He was soon joined by others and
then a fierce struggle ensued. Green grappled with the bearer of a Confederate
battle-fiag and wrenched from him the colors. Tbe fight ended in a complete vic-
tory for the Ohioans.
SOONER FIGHT THAN BEAT THE DRUM
^^^^^
'T'hk "War Dbpabtment found Drummer
* John S. Kountz, of Company G, Thirty-
seventh Ohio Infantry, guilty of disobedience
to orders in throwing down his drum and
joining in the charge at Missionary Ridge,
but for hia gallantry on this occasion he was
awarded the Medal of Honor. When the
order was given to advance from the tem-
porary works from which the enemy had
been driven that morning, Kountz who was
only seventeen years of age, threw aside his
jC ^^^^^S^^ drum and joined in the attack, urging and
--- - encouraging his comrades. Twice the bri-
gade charged upon tbe Confederates in their
entrenched position, and twice the shattered
column was driven back. On the second
assault, Kountz was shot through the leg
and very dangerously wounded close to the
enemy's lines.
When the brigade got back to its old position, Captain Hamm, of Company A,
told the boys of Company G, that Kountz was lying in the front severely wounded,
and asked : " Who will go and get him out ! " Private William Schmidt shouted : " I
will," and made for the front, advancing as far as he could under cover of the hill.
When he came to the point where cover was no longer available, he made a dash for
the spot where Kountz was lying, the enemy pouring a heavy fire upon him. Kountz
shouted : " Save yourself. I am a goner anyhow," but Schmidt picked him up on
his back and in spite of all protests, carried him back to the Union lines. Kountz'
leg was so badly shattered that it had to be amputated the same night. When he
was picked up, he was nearer the rebel works than any other man of his regiment.
JOHN B. KOUKTZ,
mmpr, Co. G . Bith Ohio Int.
Lucae Co., Ohlo.Uttrch K, 184
"NOW YOU HAVE SURRENDERED!"
'T'h
■^HE conduct of soldiers like that of Private James C.
Walker, of Company K, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry,
contributed a large share to the final success of the Union
cause. It was at the battle of Missionary Kidge that
Private Walker distinguished hiniaelf. Though wounded
he could not bear to see the colors of his regiment
drop and seized them just as the color-bearer, mortally
wounded,' fell to the ground. Throughout the engagement
he carried the stars and stripes, the possession of which
JAMBB 0 WALKER inspired hiui to a degree of courage akin to heroism.
priv.tBCu. K.sisKitiininf. Privato Walker himself tells a graphic story of the
Born at "'™^"jj *'^j'''' *^"-' "I*'"- thrilling ovonts of that day, as far as he was concerned,
as follows :
" Turchin's Brigade was drawn up in two lines to attack the Confederate position,
but as the second line overlapped the first, our regiment was taken out to form a
third line. On arriving at the Confederate breastworks at the foot of the ridge, we
found them filled with men of the first and second lines, which left us without
protection from the enemy's musketry fire. It was less dangerous to advance than
to retreat, and Colonel Lister rode over the breastworks, shouting: 'Forward Thirty-
first.' We swarmed over and the whole brigade followed. We made no attempt
to keep in line ; it was everyone for himself, each striving to be first to gain the top
of the ridge. Tlie Thirty-first started up the ravine to the left of the spur known as
De Long's Point, but we found that this would lead us into an angle of the rebel
line, so we turned to the right and came out on the top of the spur.
"George Wilson, of Company G. and I were among the first to get to this point.
We laid down at the foot of the Confederate breastworks, and Sam Wright of Com-
pany K, came up and asked us : ' What in hell are you going to do next ? ' We
told him to wait and see. As the other boys came up. they dropped alongside of us
until we numbered twenty all U>IA. I then called out : ' Boys are you ready ? ' and
they replied: 'Yes, go ahead.' We climbed to the top of the works and looked
down upon the Confederates, formed in two lines, one kneeling in the trench with
fixed bayonets, and the other lying down behind them. With a yell we jumped
down into the trench on top of them, and a hand-to-hand fight followed, with mus-
kets, bayonets, and even fists. We had broken the Confederate line, and as our
men came up to support us. we faced right and left, and kept widening the gap.
"One of the Confederates who had thrown down his musket and held up his
hands in token of surrender, fired at us after we had passed and hit one of our boys on
the knee. I turned on him with the butt of my gun, but before I could strike. Sam
Wright pushed me to one side, and said: 'Let me fix him,' Placing his musket
against the man's breast, he fired, literally tearing him to pieces. Looking at the
mangled IxKly, he said ; ' Now damn you, you have surrendered.'
"As I turned to push on, I was struck in the right breast with a Minie ball which
knocked the breath out of me and stunned me, making t-eo holes through my
blanket, blouse and shirt. Our color-bearer. Corporal (Jeorge W. Franklin, of Com-
pany K, had been struck in the arui hy a piece of shell as he came over the works,
and was on the point of falling from loss of blood when I came to my senses. I
jumped up and caught the colors just in time to save them from going down.
DRIVING OFF
THE REBEL
GUNNERS.
"A rebel battery
a short distance to the
left, opened a terrible fire
of gi-ape and canister upon us.
I rushed forward to the first gnu of the
battery, got in between the piece and the wheel, and
with my left hand pulled the fuse out of the gun, just as the cannoneer jerked
the lanyard. Sam Wright got in on the other side, rested his musket on the wheel,
and shot the officer in command of the battery. As the officer fell, his sword flew
out of hi.s hand and came end over end to the feet of Captain A. S. Scott, of the
Thirty-first.
"We drove off the rebel gunners, slewed the guns around and poured their con-
tents into their late owners. After capturing the battery, we swept on until the
Confederates, being re-enforced, made a desperate charge and drove us over the
/
breastworks. The ridge at this point was so steep that we could fall back do fnr
ther, and we were compelled to hold our ground. Here we fought for about twenty
minutes with the breastworks between as, and the only thing that saved us was
that we were on lower ground and the rebels overshot as.
"Our troops attacked the flank and rear of the enemy's line, while we leaped
over the breastwork and charged them from the front. I noticed the color-bearer
of the Forty-first Alabama, about twenty paces in front of me, endeavoring to rally
his regiment. I rushed at him and caught hold of the flag, bat in the struggle we
fell and the staff was broken. The rebel surrendered and I rolled ap his flag and
carried it under my left arm till I met Sam Wright and gave it to him. Onr own
colors I continued to carry throughout the fight and brought them out with
eighty-nine bullet holes in them and ten in the staff."
A PRIVATE'S INGENUITY
KABTDIB.
Prl*ali;. Co.
an opportunity to
Run, shortly after
'X'he quick
* wit and
action of
Private
Martiu E. Scheibner.
of Company G. Nine-
tieth Pennsylvania Infantry,
prevented a disaster at the
battle of Mine Kun, Novem-
26 and 27. 1863. The fighting in
that locality consisted of a series
of operations between the forces of Gen-
eral Meade and General Lee with en-
ga^rements at Racoon Ford, Bartlett's
Mills. Roljertson's Tavern, Kelley's Ford
and New Hope. During these short,
but sharp contests, the Federal forces consisted of
five corps of infantry and artillery and two divisions
of cavalry. The Ninetieth Pennsylvania was part of
_^ these troops.
The incident, which furnished Private Scheibner
distinguish himself, when Lee took a strong position at Mine
being defeated by General Sedgwick's Corps at Kelley's Ford.
The Confederates were shelliDg the Union forces and doing considerable damage,
so that General Meade decided upon an energetic course of action. Company G-
of the Pennsylvania regiment was ordered to charge across the Run and up-hill to
the fortifications of the rebel army.
Simultaneously with the order, came a shell from the enemy directly in the
midst of the infantrymen. The unexploded weapon of death with its rapidly burn-
ing fuse caused consternation amounting almost to a panic within the Union i-anks.
The line formation in the immediate vicinity, where tlie shell had fallen, was
instantly and completely shattered. Some of the men threw themselves flat upon
the ground, with eyes shut; some of them running to the nearest shelter, how-
ever inadequate the protection offered might be. A panic, the result of which
might have been disastrou.s indeed, was imminent. Private Scheibner glanced at the
rapidly burning fuse. He noticed the men running in all directions. One thought
flashed through his mind. He decided to take his chances. Quickly removing the
stopper from his canteen, he poured the contents, coffee, on the fizzing, burning
fuse. The glimmering fire was extiguished and all danger averted. A second or so
later and the explosion would have been inevitable. The fuse had just about reached
the shell. Many of his comrades had watched him with abated breatli and cheered
loudly when they perceived his success. The men now came back, reformed and
made the charge as ordered. It was the deed of less than a halt minute that accom-
plished this result.
A Medal of Honor was the appropriate reward for this act of presence of mind
and courage.
A COLOSSAL BLUFF
DaivATE Joseph S. Manking of the Twenty-
■ ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
bad the singular good fortune to capture a flag
from the midst of two hundred rebels. He
gives the following account of it:
"My regiment was with General Burnside
at Knoxville, East Tenn., from November
17 till December 5, 1863, and during all that
time we were continually under fire from the
rifle-pits of the enemy, which were being drawn
closer to our earthworks day by day. On the
night of November 28th a furious assault was
made upon the left of our line, and our pickets were driven in, contesting the
ground step by step. My regiment was ordered to the rear of our principal-earth-
JOBBFH S. HAHFniO.
work, Fort Sanders, where we remained nearly all night. Just before daylight the
enemy made a demoustration at the extreme left of oar line and my regiment was
tkuri'ied off tu streugtheu that point
"It was a lilt-
atatii'e tlu*
Just tlieu
t.-ilv
"WITH MV
aAVONCT AT HIS
BREAST I DEMAJHO-
fiO H1S;MRR£NDER"
vM uight, and 1 had gone to the rear to warm myself
and vvhcu I i-ame bat-k I found that the regiment had gone,
the enemy ot>eutxl a tierce tire of artillery and mnsfcetry on
tlie fort, as a prelude to the assault, so I stayed where I was.
The rebel infantry poured in upon us, scaling the parapet
and eUuibiug through the embrasures, but as fast as they
did sn, we shot them down, and they rolled back into the
diti'h which surmuuded the fort. One color-ljearer planted
his tiag ujMJU the parapet, but immediately it was
snatched awa.y. and he was shot dead, Xever in my
life did I experience such a savage feeling. It
seemed to me that I conld not load and tire
fast enough, and although my fingers were
numb with i-old. I was in a fever of excite-
ment.
"This assault was repulsed, but an-
other was immediately made by fresh
troops. Three of the enemy's colors
-.vtMu I't-Lnted upon the parapet,
b were quii'kly shot
away, and a band-to-
hand tight followed,
the otficers using their
swords, the men their
Ijayonets anil the butts
of their gims. Even
the artillery-men took
part, using their axes
and the nimmei-s of
the guns as weapons,
the enemy being final-
ly obliged to withdraw,
.ifter losing heavily
"The retreat ini: re'>els
■"ok a po:jitiou ;i -iluit
'imni the fort. ;iiid :i.r ;i
j^r. up a si.-atteriu:: "ire,
- :heir artillery, (Jeu-zTUi
Ferrero. who commanded the fort.
called out : * There are lots of them in the ditch. Go out and get them.' A detail
from our regiment was sent to the left, and one from the Second Michigan to the right
to sweep the ditch. The first detail entered the ditch from the rifle pits on the left
and passed around the salient of the fort. I wanted to go with them but was quite
a distance away when they started, and as I saw I could not catch up by following,
I adopted another plan.
"Waiting until I thought they had entered the ditch, I jumped upon the parapet,
slid down the outside of the fort and landed among the rebels. I was the only
Yankee in sight. Hearing the detail from my regiment cheering to the left, I de-
manded the surrender of those about me, and they threw down their guns. I
pushed towards a color-bearer who was attempting to hide his colors and with my
bayonet at his breast, I demanded his surrender. He handed over the colors,
which were those of the Sixteenth Georgia, and I took him prisoner. Our detail
arrived just then, and turning my prisoner over to them, he was marched back
along with some 200 others, through the ditch into the works. We also recovered
another rebel flag from under the dead body of the color-bearer.
"A wounded rebel in the ditch asked me to take him inside the works as he
was in danger of being shot where he lay. I made him climb over the dead and
wounded who lay in great numbers at this angle of the fort. I passed up the colors
to him and told him to stand where he was till I climbed up. Then I placed the
colors and my gun over my left shoulder and supported him with my right arm, thus
exposing him to the rebel fire. They seemed to recognize him, for not a shot was
fired at us, as we walked a distance of over a hundred yards along the front of the
rebel line. When I got the wounded man into our works, I turned and waved the
colors to the rebels, who saluted me with a volley, and the bullets whistled about
my ears. I did not stop there any longer than was necessary, but got down behind
the earthworks.
"On arriving at headquarters. General Burnside received the colors, took me by
the hand and complimented me in the most flattering language."
KnoxTiUe. — On the 4th of September, 1863, Burnside with about 12,000 troops entered Knoxvme,
Tenn., and immediately began to strengthen the defenses around the city, so that by the I7th of November
he had shut himself up. He held the city and the surrounding country, though the nearest Union forces
were in the vicinity of Missionary Kidge.
Burnside being thus isolated, Bragg sent Longstreet against him with 20,000 troops, and on the 29th
of November Longstreet began a terrific artillery fire upon the Union works. Burnside, however, held
his fire until four Confederate brigades advanced to charge upon the parapet, when he opened up with his
guns with such deadly effect that Longstreet was compelled to withdraw, leaving behind more than 1,000
killed and wounded, while his own loss was less than twenty.
Sherman's army, which had in the meantime been ordered to the relief of Burnside, had forced its
marches in order to arrive at Knoxville before it was too late, but was met by an officer of Burnside's staff,
who announced that Longstreet had been utterly repulsed.
When Sherman entered the city he was greatly surprised to find that the garrison was not starved
and demoralized but that Burnsidc's army was well supplied with rations, furnished by Union sympa-
thizers in the South.
Burnside's loss daring the Knoxville campaign was about 600 ; Longstreet's was more than 1,000.
BRL'NER'S BRAV'E RIDE
O":
I of :3m 31USC gmrariunB ami iniKrostmjc ^manuna
ia sut WiT or auj S^efliua waa fimii!m»f i ly- -jiw-
■jiTqsGntHiE 'if KiiaxT'jle. wfitae 'THOffrai lunstiiH- and
jiu icny was tSMigtid ig air a .MiuHittaaiiiij -une. -th—
nura. ia -JiiA i^icn. and aasiwrj -if ?"*v«iiwiT; Limrtiin
inii Jiii ■?ai)ini»t .m wmL^a dmc<ic 'waiaaL 'Tcanr. -la
m ia iijitt aiutiar 'ly -nnjnrammtr ji» ittfflniini JanuTw hl
-ill* ii'fr if :! 'iirotf fitfje. .jtiniiiunaM jv irtaita^ liimt-
'^m ':iu!: •Zhiunaouflim flrniicuiL TkiiaiL -vroL jn. lumi
'r-tMiera.. ■■rraan jmoui "sm ■iamqmjm. 3ir "hn ym.ei if
-iMitHnt 3)ir3MiitL mil jHtm. "itsieral linu£5rz«Hic "ttut
5iirwi rti n^HBr -niii- awEt jl nria: "m Tnra. Jis irrennim. ii
"lit* jjtLterL ra.vTur7- "riu -vth?^ jamiiamr xu* z-^m:
ITna tEjpiie lunfflatwi if liiii pj±i ~-|iiin.T» imt Tnir-
■viHirii "I'Tiiiis 'i'llr^. -iitt- Y-w'sirY-ira: Iliiii 2ac3Br',ia»* iL:r:7--df*ii. "ne iiuuarwi:
iOii asrewini loil 'mi Jiimip^tt tnif JufnTwmrir "-iinitniLTiiiTTTTw»r«-. -miitH: viraimiait
■liC'Uimei T-TuiaiTi. i." "^ukwr* Jiiri m lait '.lima 3i"Hr. Iei:^Hiuitar L I^?*^4. ~itt
dffe "niHiin;* '.i-TkJT'. iiiti«r '.liiiJUH. !!!uiimitf E. 3tiniiai. -watt Hiinuinij irm-SL'-L in
■nifnr ■annir'*ri "iit* iiirt?r iil'Sstt i»i»c it liiit Ea -HicaaiM- 11 "nitf mjimnuii. x'lteTt
■31H: 3iuniru-'^xU* Itimt >aits inr^ari "WiJeht* Tirt lait "iwy iutt ume "ihii- t-jziuiic
fiBBin-FT- Tina. ;iujr ir iutt. -iii*^^ orji^ 31 "SUf- r^»3r^ lU'JEsif lOiL «i Tfaitmw. "Uif
;h'n!t"^ Tiefi. vm ift'iigii^i "diii ■•ii«'rin»tt inimit imrii if iiit .lim^i i7"-ni !r^
'CjaHEwiKTiri*> 7^ri*ft lUfir znwr l :ew inniiuKL 7:tritt- *i -zut *tnini'v:'Srr. :ijs»f ij la
itat. if -uniiisr. t-hkt?- -iin^ juit "jwiai. nzr^ai. jy' "att 7-iiniKiifc !a.-77iiir7 i iiir sniiici;..
'wHrrTTtf- r-:^ iitnra liilipvwL '.irimm" Stniia: iTunSiSEnif «nniii*imi.7 f-'ar' ju:!L n:
^CDiniL
''Hiif' !.uin*u«ruB3- "iuit jihc muot & «nm«t scsit^ m. "aij- runr Trnjc n: -111!
•%m±ir: ar—mr x jm's^. tohl rTT'Tin* ZjHui*- T 3irniHC. C-iinmbXT" H. wit a."iiiu:
nxDHT"- ir 'liiinei iudiei T3tf fiiaiirt-iiiSL toil Drasa- 11 Slikiinr Ski! H. >ra«!r 7i
in.'Jin'' i*>mi» ~uiijj«r m "in* i?& ^EntEuanit ii "JiH- mnmnuL
5ti;vr T^'iirT IT mi"* )»»Gm. Eswrinnir "titt niiwt. Tum. lan r."(aiii»QKrK''i»i- nuiiu &
itmrTt"! vrrM".L ni -j»* -irir -vmr if tiii rt^'^^jr" taic arm it ikus, i/c ^inn; tih^joirj-
■ainuci "iit"; iulft 11 )ir?tu£ xitt ~-pirn im« '"twi '^ip- i ijui:s: iim'4 Tin- ;;t*!iidrt£
■affiir liii« T,r ~iitf "mmnntiia-.. Timmr if lit* nikinr tiio bi- )«ruJl)/n. ."innts'rT
ffflinuca. amritsr "iitf nimar lur "iia iTSJeC i^ammmioer ^ttfaiiafi. -zitt iiuiwiruai.-i n: ■cw
did not know that they had the TTnion men at bay. Colonel Butler, however, fnlly
appreciated the seriousness of the situation, and at once consulted with the officers
of his staff. " Soper might extricate himself by making for a small ravine in the
mountain," he suggested. Just then Bruner rode up to the group of officers. Salut-
ing the colonel, he placed himself at the latter's disposal for any service which
might be required to accomplish the rescue of Major Soper. Colonel Butler accepted
the offer and without losing time Bruner rode away, toward the lines of enemy,
hidden from their view by high banks and bushes. Presently he reached a road lead-
ing to the Confederate line and quite close thereto. The distance from the position
DASHING THROUGH THE REBEL LINE&
they occupied to the timber which Bruner desired to reach, was traversed within a
few minutes.
So suddenly had Bruner appeared and disappeared that but a few shots were
sent after the daring rider. Once among the trees, Bruner made his way to Major
Soper, told him of his precarious position and pointed out the ravine as a means of
escape. The Major immediately dismounted his batallion and entered the ravine.
Bruner, however, returned as he had come to report the Major's escape promptly.
He passed the enemy's line close in front of their guns and it is to be called mir-
acoIoQS tiiat his daring return was not brought to a sudden halt.
/
A SINOIJLAP PREDICAMENT SKILLFULLY HANDLED
1
iin«w iJn< cjiiM' «f IW»3 and the opening of JbM,
l|4;iir ''f<fM'rul ('. ('. Wai^bbum, in command
t>I ilin riMtot fS)H^iiti<in witb headquarters at
t*«-4-rim'» l''iiiit. Tt'XiiJ*. or"lere<i Brigadier-tieneral T.
V: ** llftiwtiij toonicra re<'UDnoUsam'e of the Mata-
(/tit'lrt [VijitiHitln. At'curditt^ly, Cieneral Ransom sent
|,iPiih-iittM( I'liUuifl Kruuk S. Hesseltine, command-
y Km ThtrttH'iith Maine Infantry, at Fort Esper-
ti,n, ti) i-acrv *•"* ''>* mission.
l'i»!iiiu<l Ht'Nwttitie and 100 members of his
unf»'u*uit t'tiiWrkwi on the jmnbout Granite City on
ttiB ovtiiuutr "t IVvt'iiil'er 2S, iy63. and darinj^ that
iitglit iirnt^^iUnl ftloiiy thf shore of the Matagorda
>>»>i><^ • ■•■••%■'>«•. t\niui,«uU to a (K)iut MH'eu mlLeis Lli£>tatit frooi its
ta.!/./?. .V.,.,.,""'!."r'.-'."''.n,i..-.. ht^il- Ut thd tiioruliijc a lauding through the surf
wtfct oftwtwL tlw ititt'titiou I'eiug to situi>ly make fehtti
k\^fcs.jiiK...j,5.iiiio I'liluictl .1 .mfiivjix- ■w.'utlitifU wiud ai*e yiliug up so strong a serf
btubb .ill i.t.>jjiii>iiiiii.'.i,(,K>ii nitU bh.o ;^iiutH,>at wi^t <.-uc kMt aud ^ Eur :k$ immediate sop-
\l*.'rt.ii*»tiiii.' L it'ui-mi.tKi: H.i,itiri;, wl>.o ba^t t<«M?ti -^'et wlcb. a small tX'D:e On a «oiit
u^ i^tj*.' !'i.'4M!i.i>itii i-uiiii ?(cil. 'Vtiwii*"!.'*-'^) I'ok'/jtfl. Hi«'sieJ:t!im? dwp'oy^ •* '^-'^'* '^^ -rfdrm.-
DaJsoi'i hi.:ti '<t w-'.vi ■ ili; 'iWL-li t'l" iiJ-ii'l *«-d "ivvtfd !)Jf"i ^'IT« Jowii ujjdec '.'OUVOV o£ t&H
^uiitVrti- i-ii'.i .ii-\'(tf4 '\tcti mii cuhtintit oif hlio u'uji 'vdenhCtf iJi^:!i^Jfw^ Bt«ra,iit5e >it
uhy iii.(.tui./ii;. tM.vJiirH 'iiu it/ivw- liifcd, ■iiiwo ')iiii ^t-'viio or tftuiini rn;ie»' jtivaiictf >tn trwij
y'oiiyvH ■•> -')i; i *-ji'ii/i/ii, mii ^-'oiuiiifi, 14«>tt^*JiTiiiu wtte- ■ji)i3«?*u so -Mlorwil 'lifi -Mi-'irmBtl
Ijifo. '■'ij.i- -lull, -jw, h: win* win-tiMi >v ■■-lu -ifwuiu ■v'JtH'iy "1: l)»-:»ii;'(y. it amipij:
ilf l>t>u '"Jtw '''lij juiiMici, tv tMrijj !liN. ^ittraws il^cui-yt^W 'cio v:hi 'jr .» (ini'.' it 'Siv-
.tJl> '-iw.v .*t,iv -nt/ •;ii.uii;iris iinim- I'Jiitiiriwrii /r Ti)if -';niltJ«tH?tPi'.';miirHi. i. "5lui!ltji.
iK>>»»it(i <o» ri vlw (uniitMiitt. ','r»0(- » Uw-"- h»» J'fiir "to 5lilT'-»'iiim Hrr'it'r li'
'ilu^ilnmUj :\iy. •lu inmti;.- luMtwi n iiiir! V.'iilMI Iui.1: til, Imir llti'l' si;i?uiWimT1-
^W^N "t';*! '!■ 'J rliJ ''Ht.iHi *nirh>ttv "V'li.M :li>.'- \Tim v;i:)iii Ttnun- .'-iiImum. Ih>*«i--
^liti n'l ,.ni(,v( 7iii T-ii in\i u fn,>i tiKMii iiiM y. 'I flm'.hn'< OP'.*! J "id*i.v. vJiii
^*.v>. .airt...-. ''i.-u iK- ."T.mfndortitJ^ ■.iHimi'itAi t miiu Huiii: mivtiiiiimi; 'ui- .'^unnt'-
t^,l>c^..A■■„^. iM.v-;,' i;istji...'il.n ll> f'O -■ 'v ^lUIIit.H-.'lUur-'.llHUi Ol-*lnitt li;^ hU. (M'-a ti
4\\i {".■ -.IV, M lin. /I l^itjfl i'--l,.iV..lH>^ )|.'ii>iS fit) mi"?Tl» l'"'^ " !il>M. mij- "VTl
t>i»%.l<'-. -I'.; 1 -..■.• .1 111- '.'^IM- •■,fM'>v. •: Hi" •H'lttHW, II ly % i^.-iu.
''k .^.v ... ,;,-■■ ii 'l.^iiij--.. .llf-'i ■■t\.-.l, jif.i ;ltl.iHir.tJt, "> Tn».ln>^ t-!-.. 'n- '•>■., ti
.^•i.;i l\: I ... .. f.-. ...1,1.-.;., .. hi;. ()-■■«<;■> I tu-,' lOti'lMi ; 'ui -^ti-^in -.;■..> r-.:-.:-:,:jvi
his force. Giving the order promptly, his men, as if by magic, and while Bnchel
was forming his force for attack, threw up a barricade of driftwood, logs and
branches, projecting and forming an ugly looking redan, its pan coap^ on a sand
ridge, its gorge out in the surf. Then the men wheeled in on the beach and were
ready. The Confederates, already formed, advanced, hesitated, halted. A small
party rode up to reconnoitre and moved back again; then they moved the force
obliquely for a fierce charge on the left. They halted and while they were deliber-
ating, darkness came with a heavy mist. Finally they withdrew while the Yankees
rang out three cheers and a tiger.
REPULSING THE CHARGE.
Two bonfires at the right and left of Colonel Hesseltine's position, told the gun-
boat Scioto, coming in from a reconnoissance up the coast, of the whereabouts of
the Maine men, and the Granite City went back for re-enforcements. Expecting an
attack in the morning, Hesseltine kept his men at work on the barricade all night,
but beyond a few shots from the southern pickets, but little trouble was experienced.
A foggy morning prevented any serious demonstrations, but at noon the Confederate
gunboat J. G, Carr ran down inside and to a point opposite and began shelling the
hastily constructed fortification. At 3 P. M., being without food or water and con-
cluding that the enemy had beaten back all re-enforcements sent from Decrow's
Point, Colonel Hesseltine moved his hundred men cautiously and began making his
way down the peninsular. At ten o'clock that night the party was struck by the
severest norther of the winter and at one o'clock in the morning the bivouac was
made. Resuming the march in the morning they plodded along until 2 P. M., when
twenty miles from the fort they were discovered by the Scioto and with great
difBculty were taken aboard. Not a man or equipment was lost during the entire
experience.
CAPTURED GENERAL VANCE
ETSBETT W. ANDESgOH.
A FTBE the battle of Chickamauga, the Fifteenth Penn-
'^ sylvania Cavalry was sent out to the Sequatchie
Valley to forage for the relief of the Army of the Cumber-
land, penned up at Chattanooga.
On the 14th of January, 1864, while campaigning
along the French Broad River, word was received that
General Robert B. Vance had captured a wagon train
of Union supplies at Sevierville, besides 200 infantrymen
and numerous Union citizens, and that he was retreat-
ing towards Ashville.
Colonel William I. Palmer, commanding the Fifteenth
Pennsylvania Cavalry, started after Vance, whose passage
being blocked by large trees thrown across the road by
Northern sympathizers, was soon overtaken. Colonel Palmer detailed a party of
twenty men to charge through the enemy's rear, which was done successfully, and
then the general charge followed, resulting in a total surprise of the enemy and the
recapture of all the property. A small squad commanded by Serjeant Everett W.
Anderson, of Company M, was looking after the wounded, and thereby became
scattered. Thus it happened that Sergeant Anderson, while dismounted and caring
for the wounded, had his attention called by a comrade, to the approach of five
Confederates. Quickly mounting his horse, Anderson wheeled about and faced Gen-
eral Vance, two aides and two orderlies. Covering the General with his revolver.
Anderson demanded their surrender. Seeing that his captor was fingering the trig-
ger of his gun suggestively. General Vance threw his revolver to the ground, at the
same time objecting to surrendering to an enlisted man. He said that he would
surrender only to a commissioned officer. Anderson thought differently, however,
and completed the capture of the five men before his comrades had reached the
prisoners and their keeper.
News of a capture brought Colonel Palmer to the scene, and saluting, he extended
his hand with: '■! am happy to meet you. General Vance." The reply of the
prisoner was : "Much more so than I am, under the circumstances."
A REAR GUARD'S HEROIC WORK
TBEODOBB 8. PEOS.
/~\n February 2, 1864, at Newport Barracks, North
^-^ Carolina, the Union troops, comprising some
seven hundred and fifty men, with one piece at
artillery, wereattacked by theConfederates under
General Martin, who had about two thousand
infantry, fourteen pieces of artillery and four
hundred cavalry, and who had outflanked the
Federals from the commencement of the engage-
ment. The left of the Union line lay near the
river, while the right was in the woods, and com-
manded by First Lieutenant Theodore S. Peck
Company H, Ninth Vermont Infantry.
The line was contin-
ually pressed back by
the enemy, and made
eleven different stands
before reaching the
Newport River, over
which there were two
called the county bridge, ^^B\ ^^**^ /^^ bridges, one a railroad
located about a quarter of ^^H^ J^^^ bridge, and the other
a mile above the former.
The location of the
county bridge was at a nar-
row point of the Newport
River, which was very deep
just there. The bridge was
about forty feet long and
with one approach down a
hill not very steep, but with
bluffs upon either side and woods down the bank.
On the opposite side of the river was a marsh full of
rushes, dead and dried, and with a level road leading
through it from the bridge to the railway crossing.
The Confederates pressed so closely that there was
barely time to fire the railroad bridge with turpentine '' BornVt'8t'.°Ai'tan"s, vr'Aprii'ri'm"'
and tar. Lieutenant Peck with his men was ordered
to fire the county bridge, and was told that he would find on the opposite side
of the river, near the bridge head, two companies of cavalry, with plenty ol
Piitonant an<l AdjiKanl.
I Vi-rmont Infantry.
HlgheBt raakattalned: Captain.
Born Bt Walden. Vt.,Fe1>. B.isai.
BBABTtIB W. JEVETT,
— 802 —
turpentine and tar for his use as soon as he had crossed, but the bridge must be
burned at all hazards, and the enemy prevented from crossing, for it was well known
throughout the entire command that its salvation depended upon the burning of
both these bridges. Should either one be left undestroyed and the enemy permitted
to cross, the chances were that what was left of the Union forces would be captured.
Lieutenant Peck had made a desperate fight all the afternoon, and had been the
farthest out toward the enemy the entire time, holding them in check until they
had broken through the line on his left. At this time the Union troops had mostly
crossed the railroad and county bridges, and were rapidly falling back down the
county road toward Beaufort, while Lieutenant Peck's rear guard was hotly engaged
with the Confederates, who were close at his heels.
He had sent a non-commissioned officer to the bridge to see if everything was in
readiness to fire the same after he had crossed it. The sergeant had just reported
that there was no tar, no turpentine, and no cavalry; in fact there was nothing — all
had fled. Lieutenant Peck, leaving one-half of his men with their officers, fighting
the enemy, ran with the other half down the hill to the bridge, determined to
destroy the same, if possible. Finding that some of the planks were not spiked
down, he had these torn up, and, being fortunate in finding plenty of dry grass in
the vicinity, which his men pulled from the ground, he had the same placed in readi-
ness for burning the bridge, then ordered his men, who were fighting, to stop firing
and rush across. This order was instantly obeyed, although some were killed and
wounded in leaving the enemy, who came forward on the run, increasing their
musketry fire.
As soon as the men from the hill had crossed the bridge, they commenced firing
upon the enemy, while the others of the party ignited the dead grass. The Confed-
erates brought up a battery and poured in grape and canister.
In the rush, Sergeant Charles F. Branch was wounded and left behind, a fact
m
which, instantly it became known to Peck, caused him to rush back across the now
burning bridge, to the sergeant, and half carrying him in his arms, succeeded, in
spite of a hot shower of bullets and shell and in momentary danger of death from
the flaming bridge, in carrying him safely across to the main body of his forces.
Meanwhile the little band fought the enemy across the river until l)oth ends of
the bridge fell, a mass of burning embers, when the retreat was taken up. As the
Newport Barracks— On February 2, 1864, a large force of Confederates, under General Martin, made
an attack ui)on the Union lines at Oales' Creek, N. C. Though vastly outnumbered, the Federals repulsed
the rebels twice, but were finally compelled to fall back. The Confederates then advanced up(m Newport
Barracks throwing their right fiank across the railroad to prevent a retreat. After some severe fighting,
the small Union forces retired across the railroad and county bridges toward Newport Village. The
bridges were destroyed by the retreating Federals. From Newport, a further retreat was made to More-
head City, where the further advance of the Confederates was checked. The losses during the several en-
gagements were small, though those of the Federals were somewhat heavier than the enemy's, because the
Union men were mostly raw recruits.
THE RESCUE OF SERGEANT CHARLES F. BRANCH BY LIEUTENANT T. S. PECK.
Confederates were obliged to baild a new bridge before crossing the river, the Union
forces gained an advantage of three hours and so made good their escape.
At the time Lieutenant Peck was holding and burning the county bridge, at New-
port Barracks, Lieutenant Erastus W. Jewett was given command of a picket squad
of about seventy men, with orders to hold and burn the railroad bridge, which, as
stated before, was some three-quarters of a mile below the county bridge. He also
was to prevent the enemy, who had a large force on the other side, from crossing
and capturing Newport Barracks and its defenders. Relative to this deed Lieu-
tenant Jewett says : " We held the bridge and twice drove the enemy back to the
cover of the woods. They then shelled us with a battery at about 600 yards, for
fifteen minutes, but as soon as they stopped, we were at them again with our
muskets, and succeeded in keeping them back from the bridge till it was burned, so
that they could not cross the river. No doubt it was some of the hardest rear-
guard work ever performed, and my men well deserved all the praise that was be-
stowed upon them later."
At the outset of the enterprise assigned to Lieutenants Peck and Jewett, Lieu-
tenant Josiah C. Livingstone volunteered his services, which offer was accepted,
Hia was no mean share in the enterprise. He personally supervised the burning of
the bridge and was among the last to fall back. In retiring he passed a wounded
comrade who was unable to move. Lieutenant Livingstone came to hia assistance
and helped him to reach the Union lines in safety. It was for such loyal duty
that Lieutenant Livingstone's superior officers recommended him for the Medal of
Honor.
— ao7 —
WITH ELEVEN MEN HELD AN ARMY AT BAY
ABBAK F. HASINO.
nrst Lleulenant. Co. U, lS3d New
Bom In Sew York In 1388.
/~\s February 1, 1864, at S;30 o'clock in the
^^ morning, General Pickett, of the Army
of Virginia, attacked the outposts of the Union
forces at a point where the Neuse Road crosses
Batchelder's Creek, about eight miles from New
Berne, North Carolina. At that point ihe Federal
force consisted of only eleven men under Lieutenant
Abram P, Haring, of Company G, One hundred and
thirty-second New York Infantry. The evident pur-
pose of the rebels was the capture of New Berne,
which was stocked vrith ammunition, clothing
and general stores in large quantities. General
Pickett led his force divided into three columns
and chose a most favorable time for his attack,
for a fog and a light drizzling rain covered their
advance, besides cutting off all Union signal
communication. The strength of the Confederates was estimated as high as 11,000.
"The location of our small reserve," Lieutenant Haring narrates, "was in a
naturally strong position. The creek was fifty feet wide in front, with breastworks
on either side about fifty feet long. During the preceding night we had taken up
the bridge, and with the timbers and planks we constructed a small but strong
breastwork, behind which we stationed ouraelves.
"About 3:30 o'clock in the morning during a heavy fog, the Confederates at-
tacked us in force, but were unable to dislodge us. 1 immediately dispatched a
messenger to headquarters informing the commanding officer of the situation. In
the meantime the enemy, feeling conscious of their strength, made a second at-
tack, which like the first proved futile. We were keeping up a steady fire during
this attack, and now our ammunition was pretty well exhausted, but the little we
had left we used to good advantage."
Thus did Lieutenant Haring and the eleven men of his command hold the pow-
erful army of the rebel general at bay for several hours. All attempts to dislodge
the Spartan band from the bridge and free the way for further advance, failed.
Then batteries of artillery were brought up, but still Lieutenant Haring and his men
refused to yield. In the meantime the defenders of the bridge were re-enforced by
160 men from the One hundred and thirty-second New York, and the rebels seeing
that further attempts to dislodge them were useless changed their plan of attack,
constructed a bridge across the creek at a point some distance below, and there at-
tacked Lieutenant Harinif's little forc^ fron? the rear, thus driving them out of their
stronghold.
This is the praise which Captain Charles G. Smith, Lieutenant Haring's superior
officer, in his official report, bestows upon the hero :
" I feel it my duty to mention several inatancea of coolness and heroism, partic-.
ularly that of Lieutenant Haring's brave defense of the Neuse bridge, which is
worthy of especial commendation."
Still more flattering is the following official reference to the incident by Colonel
Claassen:
" First Lieutenant Abram F. Haring commanded the reserve at the attack at the
Neuse bridge and with eleven men heroically held that all-important point for
hours, against thousands of the enemy."
CAPTURES HIS CAPTORS AND ESCAPES
D"
\UBiNa the last three months of 1863 and the fii^t
three months of 1864, the Army of the Potomac
had no great battles, the cavalry being chiefly engaged
in raiding under Generals Custer, Smith, Gre^, Merritt
and Kilpatrick, while the centers of general interest were
Chattanooga and other points on the way to Atlanta. The
situation along the Potomac had been extremely unsatis-
factory. President Lincoln had just issued a call for 200,000
additional men, which, with the promotion of General
Grant to Lieutenant-General in command of the Federal
Armies, entirely restored confldence in the north. Mean-
while the several brigades of cavalry in the east had been
riding through the entire territory from Harper's Ferry to
the James River.
On the 16tfa of March, 1864, Corporal Andrew Traynor,
of the First Michigan Cavalry, was detailed with one pri-
vate on scout duty in the vicinity of Mason's Hill, Vii:ginia. He. says :
"The Confederates were very numerous in the neighborhood, and in fact that
whole section of the country was filled with men from both sides, looking for each
other. My companion and I were making our way cautiously through a bit of level
country covered with pine, in an effort to locate a considerable force of the enemy.
We had jutit wormetl our way into a dense thicket and out again, when we were sur-
prised and captured by four heavily armed guerrillas. We were taken a short dis-
tance to another spot in the woods, where there was a civilian who, with his team
and wagon, hud been captnred. Leaving two of their companions to guard the
captives, the other two guerrillas went back to the woods to return again very
AltDKXW TRATKOE,
Ooipnnil.Flnil MU-higan Cavsl
Born at Newirk, M. J.. Fob.S, 1i
shortly with tiiree more prisoners, straggler from the Union lines. Again leaving
the party under guard of two companions, the other two returned to the road for
further prizes.
" Here it was that I communicated my intention to escape, telling my companions
to watch me closely and keep by my side. Selecting an opportune moment, I sprang
at the two guards, and, before they could fire their guns or otherwise give a signal, I
was engaged in a sharp
struggle with both. They
were able bodied and well
armed men, but my attack
had lieen so sudden and
well directed that almost
in an instant I had both
of their guns and had
handed one to the civilian,
who had kept right at my
elbow. Just then the
other two guerrillas re-
turned hastily and before
they could realize the
situation the civilian and
I both lired, each one
dropping a man. At this
moment the two disarmed
guerrillas made their es-
cape in one direction,
while my iive companions
and myself made our
escape in an opposite
direction."
Upon getting clear of
the woods, Traynor and
his companion separated,
while the other soldiers
started toward the Union
lines. Traynor and his
companion resumed their
scout, but had gone only
a short distance when they
were sighted by the escaped guerrillas and a squad of their companions and were
pursued for more than two miles. At last, however, they made good their second
escape by reaching the Union lines in safety.
"I SPRANG AT THE TWO OUARO&"
CAPTURE OF A BUSHWHACKER OUTPOST
BEHJAHIH TBAKRAH,
Prlvile, Co. H. 116th New York Infantry.
Born In Scotland In IMA.
T U8T after the battle of Olustee, Pla., between
*-* the Federal forces commanded by General
Seymore, and the Confederates under Generals
Finnegan and Gardner — which was engaged in
by 6,000 Union and as many more Southern sol-
diers— the town of Palatka was captured and was
placed under provost guard, Company H, One
hundred and fifteenth New York Infantry, with
Captain S. P. Smith as provost marshal. All
through the last week in Febmiary and the month
of April, 1864, the town and its vicinity were
continually harassed by bushwhackers, who raided
plantations and dwellings, captured outposts, and
stole stock and other property.
Just before sunrise, April 1, 1864, Company H
was ordered out for roll call, after which the
captain asked for twenty-five volunteers for an expedition up the river, the object
being the capture of a Confederate picket known to be stationed about thirty-two
miles away. Twenty-five men stepped forward promptly, after which they were
ordered to get breakfast and put one day's rations into their haveraacks. This was
done and as the sun came up over the horizon the volunteers marched to the land-
ing and went aboard a small tug boat in waiting. Among their number was Private
Benjamin Thakrah, of Company H, who relates what followed ;
"The picket guard we were after were well armed and mounted; thoroughly
acquainted with the swamp-ridden country and its people and their habits; and
were regularly relieved by details from the large force of cavalry which was in the
neighborhood. Indeed, the utmost vigilance and quiet were required during the boat
ride in order that the advance might not be discovered and reported in time to put
the picket on guard. And so, with our soldiers lying under cover in the engine
room, in the tiny cabin and in the wheel-house, the tug boat steamed along to
within three miles of our destination, when we were pulled in small boats to a point
near where the Confederate picket was stationed.
" On reaching shore, our squad, deployed as skirmishers, were required to proceed
alternately through swamps with water to our waists and over little knolls which
were fairly baking under the intense heat of the tropical sun, until we reached a
house which stood half concealed by a hedge of small bushes and a board fence.
Keeping out of sight as well as possible, we extended our line unlal it surrounded
three sides of the place, feeling sure that the Southemera would not attempt to
i by way of the river front, because of alligators.
"WE PROCEEDED THROUGH SWAMPS .'
" Working their way through the underbrush, the twenty-five Union men at last
reached the fence, and I staraightened up to look over, to find myself in front of and
looking into the gun-barrel of a bushwhacker picket. With a quick movement I
knocked aside the threatening weapon, my comrades arose around the entire enclos-
ure and the Confederate who had confronted me was on the run for thq house.
"Then our twenty-five men, with a yell, dashed over the fence, closed in about
the house and demanded a surrender as the thoroughly astonished Confederates
came out to capitulate. One of the bushwhackers had an unfinished letter in his
hand, the last words written being : ' Everything is quiet along our lines.'
" The entire picket with its arms, horses and supplies was captured without firing
a shot, and while doing this, a portion of our little party mounted some of the
captured horses and rode out two miles, making prisoners of a sei^eant and one
man on vidette duty. By prompt use of the small boats all prisoners were placed
under guard aboard the tug boat, while the horses were made to swim across the
swamp and to the other side of the river. In doing this, two men rowed in each
boat, two other men held the horses by the head as they were swimming, and a fifth
man stood in the stem with plenty of loaded guns to keep the alligators from
attacking them.
"After reaching the other side we made our way for a mile and a half through
the swamp, where, as we were afterwards told, no man had ever trodden before.
"At every house on our return we stopped in search for bushwhackers. Our
boys on the hoi-ses captured a mail carrier with what proved to be valuable letters,
and we reached Palatka about sunset.
"While we were swimming the horses across the river, all who could be spared
from that work were put on guard, and when the animals were over each told the
other to 'come in.' One of the boys, unfortunately, did not hear the summons, and
we left him on guard, not knowing until roll call that he was missing. After three
days and nights he finally got into camp, having subsisted on wild oranges and
berries, during his wearisome march, and was very much weakened by his exertions.
He said we had not been away two hours before the Confederate cavalry were as
thick in that vicinity as hairs on a dog."
ONE OF "SMITH'S GUERRILLAS"
' ' I A8KBD Sherman for 10,000 of hia best men and he
I has sent me 10,000 damned guerrillas."
This severe criticism was expressed by General N. P.
Banks, at a review of the troops of General Smith's
Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, at Alexandria, in
March, 1864.
It was brought on by the apparent lack of discipline,
military drill, straggling manner and unsoldierly con-
30HH H. COOK, j^jt of the men of this division, and directed especially
""^nw'LoDdon.EDgund.ww?"'' to the Ons Uundied and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, the
colonel of which did not consider "soldierly show busi-
ness" a necessary qualification of a brave army. However, the general's opinion
clung to the division, and ever afterward to the end of the war the One hun-
dred and nineteenth Illinois was designated as "Smith's Guerrillas." If this
sobriquet was intended as an expression of contempt, the regiment soon found an
opportunity to prove that it had been misjudged, and that its men were as valiant
as any. in the Union Army. This opportunity presented itself at the fighting at
Pleasant Hill, La. After that "Smith's Guerrillas" in the Union ranks became a
title of pride.
The Federal troops had captured Fort DeRussy, March 14, 1864, and occupied the
surrounding territory. Nevertheless the situation was precarious because the
low water, rapid current, frequent eddies and sways of the Red River made the
handling of supplies a difficult and hazardous task.
On the morning of April 9, 1864 — after fighting all the previous day near Sabine
Cross-Roads the Confederates found themselves confronted at Pleasant Hill with
the re-enforcement of Smith's Division, in which was the One hundred and nineteenth .
Illinois posted in the woods on the extreme left. John H. Cook, sergeant of Com-
pany A of that regiment, was on that day detailed as clerk at headquarters, and
in the following narrates what occurred :
" The thought of being a noncombatant was distasteful, and so, arming myself with
a Sharps rifle, I took my place as sergeant in the rear of my company. I was
without canteen, haversack or blanket, having only a good big plug of tobacco, my
rifle and forty rounds.
"The position assigned my regiment was on the extreme left of the line, my
company being posted in advance as skirmishers in the woods. We lay in this
position from early in the morning until about three o'clock in the afternoon, wit-
nessing from our commanding position the battle on the right and center. We
were ordered to hold our position at all hazards, as a flank movement of the enemy
was expected at any moment, which we must stubbornly resist before falling back.
"Our army had a disadvantage as to ground ; the position conid be easily turned.
we could not occupy it long for want of water. About five o'clock the Con-
federates, having been heavily re-enforced, made a furious assault on us, hammered
in our center, doubled up our right, and fell vigorously on our left, which was the
weakest part of General Emory's position. There was nothing left to stop the
cyclone now but 'Smith's Guerrillas,' and it seemed that we in the woods were to
be flanked and the whole army bagged. A sickening feeling came over me as I
took in the situation.
" It was not long after we began to move farther into the galling fire that we could
see our division in the center of the field advancing in a gallant charge. The rebels
were coming
through the
on the boys, when I saw John Mclnt3rre, a brave and sturdy Scotchman (he was the pet
and pride of Company A) throw up his left hand and fall forward. I ran back to him
and saw that he had been instantly killed. Then I was mad clear through. I ran for-
ward again, rapidly firing my breech-loader. In a moment a musketry fire was focused
on me ; the bullets whizzed around me thick. One went through my hat, another
through my right coat-sleeve, and one so close to my cheek that I could feel it
burn. But I cared nothing for life or death — I was in to stay. It seemed to me
just then that if our little company did not hold its ground we should be flanked,
and our army defeated, and that if I did not do my duty, and cheer our boys, they
might not stand. I had fired my 'forty rounds' — my last cartridge was gone. I
raised my empty breech-loader in my right hand, and, waving my hat in my
left, ran forward, cheering on the boys. I felt a good deal as General Corse ex-
expressed himself in his famons dispatch to General Sherman: 'I am out of pro-
yiaions, I have lost an ear and part of a cheek-bone, but I can whip all hell yet ! '
"Well, onr boys rallied. It was a sudden rush. We took a number of prisoners
and the 'rebs' gave way. Re-enforcements came up, and soon our whole line ad-
vanced, and Company A on the skirmish line shared fully in the victory of Pleasant
Hill."
A BATTLE BRIEF BUT BLOODY
'X'wo hundred Union men killed and wounded
^ within a few minutes !
This is the record of the engagement at Cane
River Crossing, La., than which, considering its
brief duration, there was no fiercer or more
bloody struggle during the entire war.
The Confederates were in a strongly fortified
position; the Union forces had orders to drive
them out. The two hostile bodies clashed April
24, 1864.
First Lieutenant William S. Beebe, of the
Ordnance Department of the army, was the
officer whose leadership won brilliant victory for
the Federals on that memorable occasion. He
led the One hundred and seventy-third New York
Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Conrady, and
so conspicuously distinguished himself that he
was brevetted a captain and awarded the Medal of Honor.
The details of the assaalt are told by Lieutenant Beebe himself as follows:
"I was ordered by the Chief of Staff to join the assaulting column, to urge the
necessity of instant attack, as I knew our rear-guard was then engaged and we
had to lay a pontoon-bridge to cross Cane River. The division was deployed for
attack on Monett's Bluff; I stated the necessity of instant assault and offered to
lead it. The offer was declined, but on its renewal promptly accepted. I was the
first man on the bluff. The color-guard immediately behind me lost five men out of
eight, and the killed and wounded in an affair of ten minutes were about two
hundred."
TILLIAM S. BEBBZ,
First Llpulpnant, Ordnance Dc-pl., U.S. i
niffheat rBnkitttaln<'<1: Major.
HE KEPT HIS COLORS FLYING
A BEAM J. BuoKLEB WES a sei^eant in Company
^ E, Nineteenth Indiana Volnnteers, which, with
the IVenty-fourth Michigan, the Second, Sixth and
Seventh Wisconsin, formed the Iron Brigade,
so-called, an organization composed of young farm-
ers, lumbermen and sailors. A sturdier lot of sol-
diers it was impossible to find in the whole Union
Axmy. This brigade was engaged in the battle of
the Wilderness, where it sustained its enviable
reputation. The Nineteenth Indiana especially
gave a good account of itself, and one of its mem-
bers, the aforementioned Sergeant Buckles, became
a Medal of Honor hero on that memorable occasion.
Though wounded in the shonlder at Gettysburg, he
remained in active service. As to the fighting at
thQ battle of the Wilderness and the incident which links his name to the struggle,
Sergeant Buckles says :
" My regiment was on the first line, and, after executing some hurried movements
on the morning of May 5th, was finally drawn in line of battle on the edge of the
great wilderness. We were on the first line and were among the first engaged.
Expecting an attack momentarily, we had thrown up a formidable line of breast-
works, and the exertions thus made had started some loose bones in my shoulder.
I sat down, stripped my clothes back and with a small pair of pincers I carried I
pulled the fragments of bone out. Just then we got the order to advance and away
we went down into the dense woods, and almost immediately striking the enemy's
line of battle, we struck them hard, Iron Brigade fashion, and drove them back
ABRAH J. BUOKLSS,
Sefgeant.Co. E, igth Indiana Intastrr.
Born la Delaware Co., lad., Aug. 1, ISIS.
The WUderness.— When Grant assumed eupreme command of the Federal Army his objective was
Richmond, Va., and the deetroction of Lee's army. Hie farceB,consisting of about 122,000 troops and 360guns,
were confronted by Lee with a force of 62,000 men, and over 300 guns, at the Wilderness on May 6-7. 1SA4.
This battle, which included engagements at Brock Road, Craig's Meeting House, Furnaces, Parker's Store,
and Todd's Tavern, was the first of the battles of the march to Richmond.
On the 5th, Grant had fairly crossed the Rapidan River, and, having met with no opposition, pushed
on through the wilderness, unconscious of the close proximity of Lee's Army. Lee, however, suspecting
Grant's movement, gave him battle in the dense forest, where the light continued throughout the day.
Early on the morning of the 8th the light was renewed, the desperate struggle being carried on in
the now burning woods. At the close of this day's battle the relative strength of the opposing armies
remained about as at first ; and the only decisive fiain was a alight one on the Union side.
During tlie night of the 6th Lee's army had withdrawn, and 88 it showed no disposition to fighl
again on tlie Tth, Grant gave orders to move toward Spottsylvania Court House.
The losses sustained during the two days' fight were about 16,000 on each side.
antil we reached a cleared place, where our line stopped to reform. Meanwhile the
Johnnies crossed the clearing and posted themselves in a dense thicket. Up to this
time I had been unable, because of the bushes and trees, to unfurl my colors, bat on
coming into the clearing I loosened its folds and shook the regiment's flag free to
the breeze. From their covered position the enemy had begun to pour a withering
fire into us, coreirades were dropping at every hand and delay was fatal, while retreat
waa never dreamed of. The only possible safety lay in a charge, and believing that
a short, quick rush with such a line as we had, a heavy one, would force the Confed-
erates to fly, I ran to the front. Waving the flag above my head, I called on the
boys to follow. To a man they responded, and together we dashed toward the
troublesome thicket. We were going in fine style when I waa struck, shot through
the body. I fell, but managed to keep the flag up until little John Divelbus, one of
the color-guard and as brave a man as ever lived, took it out of my hands, to be
killed a few minutes later. I believed I had received my death blow, but I realize
now that instead 1 won the Medal of Honor."
"OUR COLORS ARE DOWN I"
A T the battle of the Wilderness Company I of the
■** Sixty -second New York Infantry, known as the
Anderson Zouaves, held a position on the left center
of the regiment next to the color-guard. In the
absence of a commissioned officer, Sergeant Charles
E. Morse was in command of the company, which
consisted of but fifteen men. The regiment was
ordered to advance and charge the enemy, and
carried out the order so successfully that the Con-
federates were driven back to their first line of de-
' f ense. They were given no chance to rally and had
to retreat to their second line. Then they stopped,
made a stand, and by desperate fighting prevented
the regiment's further advance. All efforts to dis-
lodge the rebels were futile ; they were posted too strongly on the ridge. At the
same time their fire became so destructive that the regiment was ordered to fall
back to the rifle pits. Though this movement was carried out in perfect order, the
Confederates concluded that the men were in full retreat and at once started in hot
pursuit. They failed to bring the lines of the New York regiment into disorder,
however, and the men continued to fall back, all the time loading, facing about and
firing. Presently the color-sergeant was struck by a ball. He staggered, reeled
OHASLEB B. HOBSB,
8ergp»nl,Co. I.«B<lNsw York IntaDtry.
and dropped, covering the colors with his body. Then someone shouted: "The
colors are down !" Consternation followed the outcry. Two men at once broke out
of the ranks and started toward the spot where the dying color-sergeant lay. The
rebels, too, were rapidly approaching the coveted spot. Who would be the first to
reach it, the enemy or the daring New Yorkers ? The latter were Corporal Deitzel
and Sergeant Morse. Morse was first at the side of bis almost lifeless comrade and
in an instant secured the precious colors. He was soon joined by Deitzel and both
then retreated to their lines, holding the enemy at a safe distance by keeping up a
well-directed fire. In the retreat Sergeant Morse was shot in the knee, but notwith-
standing the painful wound he pluckily remained with his company all during the
subsequent fighting, carrying aloft the banner he had so heroically saved.
THEIR HEROISM WAS INFECTIOUS
F I EEoiSH is a virtue under any circumstance, but to
*■ ^ be heroic in the hour of reverse and disaster is
the noblest kind of valor. During the battle of the
Wilderness, May 6, 1864, two Union soldiers furnished
examples of bravery which belongs to this latter
category. They are First Sergeant Edmund English,
of Company C, Second New Jersey Infantry, and
Sergeant Leopold Karpeles, of Company E, Fifty-
seventh Massachusetts Infantry. Both accomplished
the most unexpected and truly extraordinary results
at the most critical time of the battle, when the dis-
integration of the Union forces had set in, demoral
ization prevailed and the Federals were fleeing in
wild disorder. During this mad rush for the rear the
Second New Jersey, along with other regiments, had
been ordered to fall back. The command aroused
Sergeant English's indignation. "Is there nobody to
make a stand ! " he exclaimed. " This is disgraceful ! "
He decided to act on his own responsibility, even though it be insubordination.
Quickly he seized the colors of his regiment, placed himself in front of the men,
vraved the colors high in the air and shouted : " Here, boys ! Stand here ! At least
a, few of us should stem the tide!"
His bravery was infectious; the men canght his spirit and one by one rallied
around the flag, till at last quite a little band was gathered about the sergeant.
They did not only " stem the tide," but repulsed and drove the Confederates back in
wild confusion.
While this was taking place at one point of the line of
battle, Sergeant Earpeles' similar conduct brought about a
similar result in another place. He was the color-sergeant
of his regiment and keenly felt the humiliation of soldiers
deserting their colors.
" Our troops were rushing wildly to the rear," the brave
sergeant narrates. " In vain did our colonel take a stand
and call the boys to rally. I joined our colonel, waved
the flag and likewise called on my comrades to halt and
form on us. We held our position until we had gathered
a sufficient force to make a chaise. Presently the colonel
commanded: 'Forward,' and he and I dashed ahead, I
waving our flag high in the air. Our advance was entirely
unexpected. It completely dazed the Confederates and brought their advance to an
end. We held our position till nightfall, when we fell back in good order and reor-
ganized our forces."
EDHUND £N0LI8H,
JBt Sergeani. Co. C. ltd N. J. Inl.
UlglifBt rank attained: Captfttu.
Born at Cappatih Up, Ireland,
DETERMINED TO FIGHT THOUGH WOUNDED
0"
■^N the first of May, 1864, the Eighty-third Penn-
sylvania Infantry broke camp at Bappahan-
nock Station, Va., and started on the march.
Private Jacob E. Swap, a member of this
regiment, had been placed on the sick list and
ordered to report at the hospital, but declined
to do so, whereupon the surgeon allowed him
^^».i^w iidtN ^ follow the regiment on its march, in an
f^k^^^^f^Kkjjsf ambulance. Upon the third day of his ride,
v^^^^^^j^^VjeF while still convalescing, he determined to join
his company. He secured a gun and a car-
tridge box and started to carry out his inten-
tions, when a lieutenant of his company
observed him. He immediately took the gun
from Swap, who was again ordered to the
rear. This time he remained there until the
6th, two days later, when he again overtook
his company, just as they were unslinging their
knapsacks for a charge in the Wilderness. As he stepped into the ranks, armed and
teady, his lieutenant asked him where he was going.
"I'm going with the boys," replied Swap.
"Bemiun here and guard these knapsacks," the lieutenant ordered.
JAOOB E. BVAF,
FriTatc.Co. H.8Sd Fenn. Intancr;,
at OoeymaDB. Albtuir Co., K. Y., August 19, 1S4S.
Swap, after several fruitless entreaties, reluctantly obeyed, while his comrades
dashed away on the charge. They soon returned in disorder, and reformed for a
second charge.
"I then saw that I had an opportunity to get into the fight," says Private Swap,
"and I asked a group of my comrades whether there was one among them who
would let me have his gun. One of them immediately said : ' Here, take it, I've
had enough of this,' whereupon I joined in the charge.
"I was now permitted to stay in the ranks, and fought with the company on the
6th, 7th, and 8th, in the fights around the Wilderness.
"On the 8th, while we were charging on the breastworks at Spottsylvania Court
House, I was wounded five times, when within a few yards of the enemy, after which
I fired one more shot and then threw my gun over at the enemy.
"My wounds prevented me from gaining the rear, where I now wanted to be,
and I was captured and sent to Richmond."
SHOT THE REBEL COLOR-BEARER
THE repelling of Longstreet's charge and re-
taking of the Confederate lines and bat-
tery on the second day of the battle of the
Wilderness were among the most thrilling
. episodes of the entire series of wild fights.
There had been charges and repulses all
forenoon and until afternoon, the Federals
and Confederates moving forward and falling
back alternately, until, with the ammunition
entirely exhausted, the cartridge boxes of the
dead soldiers were the chief resource.
At last the One hundred and forty-third
Pennsylvania Infantry of Wadsworth's Division
were able to halt, stack arms at the intersection
of the Brock and Plank Koads and prepare their
meals. ColonelMusserhavingbeenkilled,Major
Charles Conyngham was in command. After
a rest of about an hour an order came from General Hancock directing the brigade,
in command of Colonel Irwin, to save the works at the Cross-Roads, upon which
Longstreet's forces were then advancing at a charge. Sergeant Patrick De Lacy, of
Company A of the aforementioned regiment, in command of the company, instantly
Flnjt Bergrant.Co. A
HlKhoalniiikB
. In CarbODilale, Lackai
rATRIOEDslAOT.
led the right of the brigade and regimental line in the advance, his men answering
with a mighty yell, as they followed. As to what then happened a granhic descrip-
tion by one of the participants is appended:
"Away we went, donble-quick, toward the woods to the left of the Plank Road,
Longstreet's advance being eighty rods or so still farther to our left coming down
the Brock Boad. On we pushed up toward the burned
rific fire and with our brave comrades falling on
Lacy kept the lead until, when right up to the
clearing, under a ter-
everj side. Still De
works, with
the Con-
feder-
■' DASHING
UP TO HIM
SEIZED THE
FLAa"
ates in
line along
the woods
andkeepingiij)
their heavy fire, he made
a dash to our left of fifteen or eighteen
rods, right between the fires, to the edge of the works. There he found a rebel
waving his colors, and, dashing up to him, seized the flag and shot the color-bearer
down in plain sight of both sides. The colors dropped, and a panic followed among
the Southerners for a brief period, but long enough for our regiment and brigade to
reach the works and hold them. The charge had been a grand one all along the
line, but it was in a very great measure inspired and encouraged by De Lacy's
daring and heroism while under the concentrated fire of the enemy. His escape
was a miracle, his achievement one of those incidents in the history of actual war-
fare which causes one to bubble over with admiration for the hero."
A RESCUE UNDER DIFFICULTIES
8TEPHZH WSLOH.
Bergesnt, Co. C. IMth New York Vol-
unlPer Infantry.
Bora at Groton. Tompkins Co.,N. Y..
June 14, IKM.
' ' r\v the 9th of May, 1864,"
^^ narrates Sergeant
Stephen Welch, of Company
C, One hundred and fifty-
fourth New York Volunteer
Infantry, "the enemy was
found in a strong posi-
tion at a place called Rocky
Face Ridge, near Dalton, Ga.
In the afternoon the brigade
was got in readiness for in-
spection of said ridge. A
few of my company were
detailed to act as skirmish-
ers. We advanced slowly
0HASLS8 V. XoKAT.
Bergeact. Co. C. IHth New York Val-
unteer Inlantr;.
Born at Uangfleld, N. Y., Jan. 36, IMT.
and cautiously, covering ourselves as best we could till we got within four rods of a
perpendicular palisade crowning the top of the ridge. I found protection behind a
rock, from which point I could occasionally see three or four of the enemy on top of
the hill, and had a chance to dischai^re my gun in that direction. Meanwhile the
brigade came up, our regiment on the right. They all went up to the perpendicular
palisade of rock, some going up the crevices and to death. After about half an hour
the bugler sounded a recall, and the brigade went down that hill much faster than
it had gone up, but soon we got into proper order again. About this time the major
came along and told me that he had seen a wounded soldier of my company,
between the lines, adding that I had better get someone to help me go up and get
him. Taking a tent-mate, Sergeant Charles W. McKay, we started out under a
heavy fire, not only from the enemy, but also from our own lines. We found
George Greek, a corporal of the color-guard, badly wounded in both legs. The poor
Coincident with the beginning of Grant's campaign in the WildemeBs began the great campaign best
known as 8liennan*s March to the Sea. On the Tth of May, 1864, with a force of 100,000 men, General Sher-
man advanced from Chattanooga, forcing back the Confederate General, Johnston, who had an arm; of
60,000 men. Dalion, Resaca, Dallas, Lost Mountain, the Great and Little Kenesaw Mountains were the
stands taken by the retreating Confederates, and were engagements in which they were outnumbered, out-
flanked and defeated. On the 22d of June, General Hood made an attack on the Union center and was
repulsed with heavy loss. Five days later. General Sherman attempted to carry the Great Kenesaw
Mountain, but was repulsed, losing 8,000 men. He then resumed his former tactics, outfianked the enemy
and compelled him to retreat across the Chattahoochee. By the 10th of July, the whole Confederate army
had retired within the defenses of Atlanta.
"THE POOR FELLOW HAD BEEN
TRYING TO DRAG HIMSELF
ALONG WITH HIS HANDS."
fellow had been trying to drag himself along with his hands, and had sunk down,
overcome by faintness and exhaustion. McKay revived him with a drink from
his canteen, after which the corporal, raising himself on his elbow, asked if the colors
were safe. We assured him that they were, and he dropped down again, satisfied
and happy. We rolled him on a blanket, picked him up, and with bullets whizzing
about us, managed to get him off the field."
aOBBRT 8. AOBERtBOM,
im Lieutenant, OSd N. Y. Voluntnn
Hlghegl rank attslnwl : Colonel,
U. 8. Volnnlwre. , ,
Born at Argyle, April IG. ISN.
—KM—
HE CHECKED THE PANIC
T^HB engagement at Corbin's Creek waa preliminary to
■^ the battle of Spottsylvania. Lieutenant Robertson
gives an account of the very creditable conduct of his
brigade as well as his. own experience on thi^ occasion : ■
" By a rapid march early in the morning of May 8,
1864, the Second Army Corps, to which I was attached as
aide-de-camp, gained the road which the Fifth Corps had
just passed. We reached Todd's Tavern, Va., our. desti-
nation, at nine, when our Corps was aligned on the Brock
Road and across the Catherpen, to prevent an expected
attempt on the part of Lee to cut our marching column
in two.
"Soon our brigade was pushed out through the hot pine woods to a valley,
through which runs Corbin's Creek. Here on a brow of the upland we halted for a
time and the picket line was posted to gtiard the approaches in that direction^
Hardly had it been posted in a road which runs down to the valley, separated from
us by a stream bordered with a dense growth of bushes and tangled vines, before it
was thought necessary to extend the line further to our right, to cover another by-
way there. That duty fell to me.
'The work was done, and I was riding down the road to an opening in the
bushes where the stream could be crossed, when I found a line of battle moving
toward me and toward our position. There Was no escape except through the gap
they were rapidly approaching, and no time was to be lost, for if they reached the ,
opening before me, my march would end in Richmond as a prisoner of war.
"They evidently believed I was coming to surrender, for they invited me to join
them in t<?rms the irolitest of which were; 'Come in, you damned Tank, we'll take
SpottMjInnU— On the 7th of May. 1894, after the battle of the Wilderness, the Union Army began its
march towurd Spottsylvania, Va. Grant, who, on his way to Richmond, had hoped to pass around Lee's
rifthi winfc, fnniid on the 8th the whole Confederate Army massing about a mile to the north and east of
Spottsylvania directly in his front. Little was done by either army on this and the next day, except the
strengthening of works and the posting of troops. On the 10th Grant resolved to attack Lee, and accord-
ingly oidt-n-d attftcks all along the line, the most notable of which was Upton's storming party. The
armies resti^ on thi' following day, on the evening of which Grant ordered an assault for the next morning.
After a diflii-nlt night march. Hancock pressed on and in a hand-to-hand fight rushed upon the enemy's
hreastwiirks and cjiptiir.-d a whole division of Ewell's Corps, Lee hastened re-onforcements to Ewell and
at this jioinl, ilio "' Bloody .tnple," the battle raged ^1 day and until 3 d*clock on the morning of the 13th.
The Con fi-df rates tri<>d vainly to dislodge the Union troops by massing heavily on Lee's broken line, but
finally toiik a )v>sition in rear of his former one, and there entT«nched himself.
This last twenty-four hours' 'fight closed the eight days' battle around Spottsylvania, the Federal
Amy losing 8.000 men and the Confederates abont the same number.
good care of you.' But the opening was reached and I showed my horse's tail,
and his speed as we galloped up the hill. Scattering volleys were fired, but the rebels
were too excited to aim well, and shot wildly. At the top of the hill was a rail fence.
The horse leaped it finely, but the saddle girth had become loose, the saddle turned,
and I fell. To mount again was only the work of a moment, for the dread of a
rebel prison almost gives one wings. The volleys meant for me had roused the
brigade, which greeted me with hearty cheers as I rode into the line with my saddle
under my horse instead of under me.
" The attacking column appeared, but halted to make proper dispositions for the
attack, and we were ordered to a better position a little to the rear. Shortly after
another rebel brigade was discovered moving on our right flank, and we had to pre-
pare for an attack on our right and the one in our front at the same time. Re-en-
forcements were sent for, and we prepared to defend ourselves as best we could
until they should arrive.
" The brigades in front moved steadily up the slope, their muskets at a ready.
Gallant Colonel McKeen, of the Thirty-first Pennsylvania, had charge of that part
of that line with his own regiment and the Twenty-sixth Michigan. He sat on his
horse, calmly speaking words of encouragement to his men, many of whom were
recruits who had never been under fire before.
"The 'ki-yi-yi' of the Confederates was not answered until their line was close
upon U8. Then a volley answered their triumphant yells, sending many to their
long home, but they closed their ranks and marched steadily on. McKeen met
them with another volley, which drove them down the hill. Now commenced hot
work on the right. Here were the Sixty-first New York and the One hundred and
fortieth and One hundred and eighty-third Pennsylvania, under General Miles in
person. The Confederates charged and nearly drove in our center (the One hun-
dred and eighty-third Pennsylvania) which broke and drifted to the rear. The staff
tried to drive and coax the frightened men. I at once seized the colors from the
frightened guard and rode with them in the face of the enemy to their former
place. This checked the panic and inspired the men. The regiment rallied on its
colors ; the line was saved, and our little brigade was proud, for we had whipped
two brigades of Mahone's Division before any re-enforcements reached us, and we
were received with hearty cheers as we filled the trenches. We had lost nearly two
hundred men, and were obliged to leave our dead upon the field."
RESCUED HIS COMRADE
*^V-^
MOBEB A. LUCE.
" T^HB battle of Laurel Hill, as it is termed, was
* in reality a part of the battle of Spottsyl-
vania, and is so known historically," writes
Sergeant Moses A. Luce, of Company E, Fourth
Michigan Infantry. "Laurel Hill was a slight
olovation situated in front of the right of our
army, and occupied by the Confederate army
behind earthworks thrown up by them
during the two previous days. Early in
the morning of May 10, 1864, our regi-
ment, containing at that time about one
hundred men, and the Twenty-second
Massachusetts Infantry, were designated
to lead an assault on the works in front of
our line. We were supported by the divi-
sion drawn up in line at a short distance back of us. The morning was foggy. We
were advanced close to our picket line upon a slight elevation, leaving a small valley
between us and the enemy. Our muskets were unloaded, bayonets fixed, and we
thus awaited the order to charge. A light wind suddenly broke the fog in front of
us, when we were hastily ordered forward without any supports and were imme-
diately observed by the enemy, who opened fire upon us from their picket line and
also from their artillery. Chaining rapidly toward the enemy and receiving a fire
of canister and grape from their cannon, the greater portion of which, however,
passed over our heads, we broke through their picket line, and paying no further
attention to them pushed on to the foot of the main breastworks of the enemy. At
this point the musketry of the enemy opened upon us with terrible effect. Five out
of seven of my company, of which I was in command, were struck by this fire, and
the assaulting column, being unsupported, fell back in disorder.
"Although not wounded, I tell prostrate into a ditch running down the hillside,
where I remained possibly a minute listening to the whiz of the balls over my head
and the cries of the wounded and the yells of the enemy. I was in comparative
safety in the ditch, but if I remained I would be taken prisoner, and the horrors of
Andersonville were then pictured in dreadful detail. I concluded to run the risk of
escaping, and, rising with my musket in my hand, a ball struck the stock, which I
held, and another ball cut the skin just over my eye. With all the speed I had I ran
down the hillside and across the valley, under the fire of the enemy, and succeeded
in reaching the first rifle pit of our pickets and leaped into it. The enemy leaped
over their works, and with yells started to charge down the slope, but they were met
by such a heavy fire that they soon retired. The cannonading continued at intervals
on both sides with the musketry fire in broken volleys. Hearing a cry for help from
some wounded soldier who lay very close to the picket rifle pits of the enemy, I
asked who it was. Upon hearing that it was Sergeant La Fleur, I at once responded
to his call, dropping my musket, however, and running forward toward the spot
where he lay. When I reached hira he was lying prostrate on the ground, with his
leg broken below the knee by a grapeshot, and was bleeding profusely. He was a
smaller man than I, and I tried to lift him in my arms, but finding that impos.sibIe
I kneeled down and told him to get his arms about my neck and get on my back, I
remaining on my hands and knees. Then rising, and in a stooping position, I carried
him rapidly to the rear of our line. Here I found several men and one or two
officers, and having stanched the flow of blood I returned to our rifle pits."
"LET'S SAVE OUR COMRADE I "
SEBGEANT HowELL B. Tbeat, of Company I,
Fifty-second Ohio Infantry, won the ad-
miration of his comrades and of his superior
officers by his conduct during the engagement
at Buzzard's Koost, Ga., May 11, 1S64. He wa.s
on the skirmish line braving a most galling
fire. Many a hrave Union soldier lost his life
or was wounded on that occasion. In almost
every instance it was possible to bring the
injured to the rear, but at one time during the
charge one of Sei^eant Treat's comrades was
wounded and left on the field close to the rebel
works.
B<.niatp>in»<n::>.uk«cc..o-.iDtsn. Thesei^eant could not endure the sight of
one of his men, covered with blood and unable
to move, being made a target for further shots from the enemy.
"Boys, let us save our comrade!" he exclaimed. Immediately two men an-
nounced their willingness to accompany the sergeant.
Unheedful of the shower of bullets and terrific fire of musketry, they started for
the rebel works, but had not proceeded far when the two privates were stricken
down by well directed bullets, leaving Sergeant Treat alone to carry out the mi.'ision
of mercy. Three times this brave soldier was struck by rebel balls, one passing
through his hat alwve the right ear. and two going clear through the blouse, each
bullet inflicting a painful though not serious wound. However he persisted in
reaching his wounded comrade and succeeded in assisting him safely hack to the
Cniou lines Cheers greeted the gallant rescuer and rescaed as they retnmed.
BOWELL B. TBEAT.
— 829—
WOULD HE HAVE TAKEN THE WHOLE BRIGADE ?
ON the morning of May 26, 1864, Colonel Thomas C. Devin led the Second Brigade,
First Division, Cavalry Corps, from Pole Cat Creek to Mangohick Church, Va.,
where a halt was made for several hours. The march w^as then taken up again and
the Pamunkey River reached at a point opposite Hanover Town, Va., at daybreak
the following morning. After crossing the pontoon bridge the Federals went into
position on the hill to the right and in front of Hanover Town. The Seventeenth
Pennsylvania thereupon was ordered to the right to support a regiment of the First
Brigade, which then was advancing upon and skirmishing with the enemy. While a
squadron of the Ninth New York was ordered to the extreme right to cover the
flank of the Seventeenth Pennsylvania, as the Confederates showed no disposition
to engage the Union forces and retired into the woods. Colonel Devin ordered
part of the squadron of the Ninth New York to charge the retreating rebels.
Their pickets were driven across the creek and over the opposite hill, where nearly
a whole brigade of South Carolina Cavalry was attempting to get into position.
First Lieutenant John T. Rutherford, of Troop L, Ninth New York Cavalry, led
the charging column. Upon finding that the bridge had been destroyed, he jumped
his horse into the creek, forded it, followed by his command ; and, attacking the
rebels, drove them back on their reserve, where they biecame entangled with their
train. Taking advantage of the enemy's confusion and disorder, Lieutenant Ruther-
ford demanded the surrender of the whole brigade. This bold demand so stag-
gered the Confederates that they were unable to gather enough energy to resist it,
and were about to comply, when one of their officers with more courage than
discretion called on his men not to be cowards and to form into line.
In a second Lieutenant Rutherford was at the officer's side and with one well-direct-
ed shot, which killed his horse, had him lying on the ground. The officer regained his
feet, however, and Rutherford then struck at him with his now empty pistol. The
Confederate's sabre parried the assault, but the next moment Rutherford landed a
telling blow on his opponent's head and placed him hors de combat. The rebel sur-
rendered and was sent to the rear.
The capture of their officer dismayed the rebels and they offered no further re-
sistance. Then the small body of Union cavalry found itself in a peculiar position.
How could they think of successfully bringing to their lines such large numbers of
prisoners ?
Not desiring to take chances or run any risk, they picked out some 100 prisoners
and fell back upon the brigade.
Colonel Devin smiled as he received the victorious New Yorkers.
" Did you intend to take the whole brigade ? " he asked Lieutenant Rutherford,
" I would, if I had enough men to guard them," was the reply.
" I believe it," the Colonel observed as he shook the brave lieutenant's hand.
IRt
■ liafvcSCr^ 1
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^*
tiE STRUCK At HIM WITH MIS EMPTY PISTOI-
In explanation of this unique duel it should be stated that while fording tjie
creek Lieutenant Rutherford broke his belt and lost his sabre and that, therefore,
the pistol was his only weapon.
Two weeks prior to this incident, Lieutenant Rutherford distinguished himself in
a like manner, when during an engagement between General Merritt's Federal and
General Stuart s Confederate Cavalry Divisions at Yellow Tavern, Va., he led his
squadron in a dashing charge on the rebels, completely routing them and capturing
ninety prisoners.
For both these brave acts he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
HEROIC ARTILLERY WORK OF A VOLUNTEER
JOHN P. BXEOH.
BrrtiPHnt.Ci). B.lth N, J. InfSDtr7.
Born at DrrbrBhire, Bog., Ha; I, ISU.
"/^M the 12th of May, during the battle of Spott-
^--' sylvania," says Sergeant John P. Beech of
Company B, Fourth New Jersey Infantry, "General
Upton ordered a battery of artillery to take a position
on his right to sweep the large open field in front of
the ' Bloody Angle.' Lieutenant Metcalf's Section of
Battery C, Fifth U. S. Artillery, immediately ad-
vanced into position, but the enemy's fire was so
heavy the men and horses fell like leaves in autumn.
" Both our regiment and the rebels on our left
were now advancing toward, the clearing in front of
the ' Angle,' the objective point for each being Met-
calf's unlucky section. Upon seeing the critical posi-
tion they were in and that all the men except Lieu-
tenant Metcalf and Sei^eant Lines had been killed or wounded, I laid down my
musket and volunteered to go and help work the gun. I received permission to go,
and upon reaching it proceeded to serve ammunition. We had but tour charges of
canister left, when a Mississippi regiment came charging down upon us, but we
worked that gun as fast as it was possible for three men to work it. The rebels came
to within 100 feet of us, and after giving them our four charges of canister we fol-
lowed that up with spherical case and shell, until our ammunition was exhausted,
when Lieutenant Metcalf ordered up the limber, but as it was coming forward the
horses were shot down. A well-directed fire from the infantry behind a crest pre-
vented the Mississippi regiment's farther advance, and for eighteen hours the fight
continued at this point. In the meantime a body of pur regiment finally got the
piece off the field, leaving the limber there until the next day."
. *)»
OBEYED AN ILL-ADVISED ORDER
H-
LEVIS S. WISNBK,
Je who stands ready to sacrifice himself rather
than endanger the lives of those entrusted to
his care is a most illustrious hero. The conduct of
Capte,in Lewis S. Wisner, of Company K, One hundred
and Twenty-fourth New York Infantry, engineer
officer on General J. H. Hobart Ward's staff during
the battle of Spottsylvania, brings him within that
type of lofty military heroes.
About nine o'clock in the morning of May 12 he
received written orders from the division engineer
officer to lower the breastworks near the "Bloody
Angle" eighteen inches in front of one of the Union
batteries, which was engaged in raking the tree-tops
to dislodge the rebel sharpshooters.
One side of these works was occupied by the Con-
federate, the other by the Union troops, and so severe was the fire at this portion
of the line that a large oak tree was completely cut in two by musketry fire alone.
Captain Wisner proceeded to the breastworks, placed his men in a position of
safety and reported his orders to the coramaudiug officer of the battery. The latter
received the captain with scorn.
" Lower the works 1 " he exclaimed. " I'll train my gun upon the man, and blow
him to 'Kingdom Come,' who dares touch the works."
Captain Wisner handed him his written orders and retorted: '"Here are my
orders, sir. They will be ol«yed, guns or no guns." And he at once proceeded to
carry out his instructions.
The top of the works was capped with a heavy log raised a few inches to make a
loop through which the infantry might fire. Placing two men at each end of the
log, the captain ordered it to be removed. Having been wired at each end to the
adjoining logs and also on the side where the Confederates were, the removal of
the log could not be accomplished.
Captain Wisner was fully convinced that instant death awaited anyone who
attempted to remove the obstruction, and refused to expose his men to any such
danger. "I'll do it myself." he said. Provided with an ai obtained from one of his
detail, he leaped to the top of the breastworks and. with one well-directed blow,
severed one end of the log. He ran quickly to the other end and cut the 1(^ at that
point. He escaped unhurt, but his clothes were riddled with bullets in many places.
Thus the breastworks were lowered, the order obeyed, but someone had blundered 1
The commander of the battery asked Captain Wisner if he would not replace the
log in its former position, and the brave captain, impressed with the necessity of the
jvgaest, complied. " You have accomplished the meet heroic act I ever witnessed,
CbptaSn. " said the battery commander as he grasped Wisner's hand.
"I'LL DO IT MYSELF," HE SAID.
\
AVENGED HIS COMRADE'S
DEATH
/^HB of the most dramatic incidents of the battle
^-^ of Spottsylvania is summed up in the follow-
ing words by General L. A. Grant :
"The struggle at the 'Angle' was emphatically
a hand-to-hand fight. Scores were shot down within
a Few feet of the death-dealing muskets in the very
face of the enemy. Some men clubbed their mus-
kets, and in some instances used clubs and rails.
WILLIAM w H0T8B ^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ brigade was engaged for eight
hours. The slaughter of the enemy was terrible.
'Behind their traverses and in the pits and holes
they had dug for protection, the rebel dead were
found piled up on one another. Some of the wounded were almost entirely buried
by the dead bodies of their companions that had fallen upon them."
Private William W. Noyes, of the Second Vermont Infantry, augments the fore-
going description by the following pen-picture of the part he played in this battle :
"We had reached the 'Bloody Angle' — a pile of logs, with a slight embankment
on the inner side. There the Johnnies were, just over the pile, while we lay in
the slout in front. Muskets were pushed through the openings between the logs
and fired right into the faces of our men. Suddenly, right near where I was
lying, one of the Confederates raised a white rag or handkerchief fastened to the
end of his musket. Some of our men took it for a flag of trace and - one of them
raised his head over the breastworks, when with a cheer the Johnnies emptied their
muskets into the poor fellow, killing him instantly.
"Infuriated beyond control by such treachery and determined upon revenge, 1
called on the men near me to load their pieces as rapidly as possible and hand them
up to me. Then I jumped to the top of the breastworks and killed the rebel near-
est to me in such short order that the others became, for a moment, completely be-
wildered, and were unable to use their weapons. My comrades handed np their
guns so rapidly that I was constantly kept busy. The enemy did not seem to regain
their wits until I had fired five or six shota. They then began shooting at me,
but for some reason they proved to be poor marksmen, and I continued to fire
at them until a bullet knocked my hat off, when I jumped back to my former
position. John Uniut. oae of my comrades, then mounted the embankment and
Krod a .-(hot, but was immediately killed by a Confederate bullet which pierced his
heart. I'poii counting afterward, we found that fifteen guns had been emptied
during this brief and peculiar assault."
LOST IN THE WOODS -JOINED ANOTHER REGIMENT
WILLIAM B. WILOOZ,
t.Co. G.fllh Now IlHnii>!i1iln> 1 1
■a In Lcmp8(er, Sulllvun Cu,, N.
^^ the Potomac was encamped facing the
entrenched works of the enemy at SpottfiylTania,
and ready for a charge at daybreak. I was de-
tailed on the picket line and took my position on
the esteeme left."
The foregoing is related by Sergeant William
H. Wilcox, of Company G, Ninth New Hampshire
Infantry, who, recalling an interesting incident
from the battlefield, continues :
"At daybreak the chaise was made, the pick-
ets being instantly converted into a skirmish line
and sent in advance of the corps to ascertain the
position of the enemy's picket line. We located
the Confederates strongly entrenched just across
a creek in the woods and at once engaged their
pickets, who, in spite of a stout resistance, were
soon swept away by the advancing corps.
"During this conflict Lieutenant Rice, the only commissioned officer with my
company, my brother and several others were wounded.
" I stopped long enough to assure myself that my brother was able to walk and
take care of himself, and so, bidding him good-bye, started with a corporal and a
private to overtake my company, which I had seen entering the woods.
"We pressed on through the dense forest, where solid shot and exploding shells
were screaming over our heads, and cutting twigs, limbs and even great tree-tops,
which fell in showers about us. Thus marching for alxmt an hour with the roar of
battle as our only guide, it dawned upon us that we were lost^-that we were sepa-
rated from our regiment, away from our post of duty during the engagement and
without leave. Here we were, three able-bodied men — idle, helpless, while our com-
rades were fighting a great battle !
" Naturally we were anxious to rejoin our regiment and share our comrades' fate.
Presently we came upon the Sixth New Hampshire, which was brigaded with us.
I asked and received permission to fight with that regiment and we three were
determined to do our duty that day promptly and well.
"At night, when I asked the commanding officer to direct us to our regiment, he
not only complied, but added that, if we needed assistance in accounting for oar-
selves, he would gladly help us out He subsequently paid as a high compliment
ijurongh the commander of our regiment."
CAPTURED A WHOLE COLOR-GUARD
O"
JOBS H. WEEKS,
PiivaM, Co. H, IBld N. Y. Vr
Born St Hsmnlnn, Wlndnnt C
CoQD., Mkrcli IG, IMG.
^H the night of the 11th of May," says Private John
H. Weeks, "we were relieved by the Fifth Corps
on Laurel Ridge, where we had been lying in line of
battle with the Pennsylvania Bucktails of the Fifth
Corps massed in our rear, expecting to charge the
enemy's works, which were in a strong position on a
parallel ridge. But the woods caught fire between our
line and the enemy's position, and thus caused a post-
ponement of the charge.
" The fire had lighted up our skirmish line so brightly
that we had lost six or seven men in my company by
the enemy's sharpshooters. We lay in this position
until about 9 o'clock P. M., when we were relieved by
some of the Fifth Corps, with orders to move to the
rear as silently as possible; not to allow our cups or bay-
onets to rattle or make any unnecessary noise. We marched all night through the
mud and rain, and I don't think I ever saw it any darker.
"About break of day on the morning of the 12th, we were halted in line of battle
with the orders: 'In place, rest.' The report had been in circulation during the
night that we were going to relieve the Sixth Corps on the reserve, that we might
have a chance to rest, as we had been under fire almost constantly since we crossed
the Rapidan, six days before. We were nearly worn out for want of sleep and food.
When we halted we could see the lights of camp-fires shining through the fog in our
front, which I supposed belonged to the Sixth Corps.
"As soon as we were ordered to rest, I threw myself down into the mud and fell
asleep. In a few minutes I was awakened by the arrival of an aide with an order
for General Hancock, who happened to be near our regiment. I heard him give the
order, as near as I can remember, as follows: ' General Meade sends his compli-
ments, and directs that you move your Corps forward and occupy those works.'
"We were called to attention and ordered forward, and were in the second line
of battle following close behind the first. Soon the rebel skirmishers commenced
firing and then for the first time I began to realize that we had work before us. It
was now getting quite light, but the fog prevented us from seeing far in advance.
We soon came to an open field with a gradual ascent, on the top of which the heavy
timber had been felled. The boughs were sharpened and wires were stretched
through the tree-tops. Beyond this obstruction were the enemy's works, which con-
sisted of a ditch eight feet wide and nearly as deep, with a row of long poles set into
the ground in front, their sharpened points about breast-high. Immediately in rear
of the ditch were the breastworks, which were formed of earth thrown up against a
facing of logs, thus making the distance from the bottom of the ditch to the top of
the works from twelve to fourteen feet, without the chance of a foothold.
"As soon as we came near to the top of the hill, the enemy opened upon us with
canister and musketry. Their artillery had been massed at this point with about
thirty guns, all double-shotted with canister. It did not seem that a line of men
could possibly reach those works and pass those obstructions alive. By the time we
reached the ditch there was no line of battle, but a rushing mass of yelling Yankees.
We succeeded in wrenching the sharpened poles from their places, and used them
in crossing the ditch and scaling the works. The point of the rebel works upon
which the charge was made was an angle in the shape of the letter 'V,' projecting
out of their line. Our left struck the right wing of the angle, so that when we got
inside of the works we could see the rebels on the left wing opposing our men there,
and, as we advanced, it brought us in the enemy's rear.
"When we had sent our prisoners to the rear, we still advanced, but very slowly,
on account of our broken ranks. About this time I saw the enemy give way on the
left wing, and among the rest was a color-guard surrounding its flag. These men
fired their muskets at us in a volley and broke for their rear. They had to pass
down our front to get out of the angle. I had discharged my gun, but, making up
my mind to have those colors, I ran up to the sergeant and snatched the flag from
him, threw it on the ground and put my foot on it. I cocked my empty gun and
told them that the first man that moved out of his tracks would be shot, and ordered
them to throw down their guns and surrender. The sergeant said to them : 'Boys,
they have our colors ; let us go with them.' They threw down their guns and
marched to the rear as my prisoners. I recrossed the works and started for our
rear, where I met General Hancock and his staff going to the front. When I saluted
him, he asked : 'What colors are those you have there ? ' I told him. 'Are these
your prisoners ? ' the general asked, glancing at the Confederates. I said they were.
The general looked at one of his staff, smiling a little incredulously, for there were
five or six lusty rebels, while I was only a lad about eighteen years old. Then he
said : ' Deliver your prisoners to the provost marshal ; write your name, company
and regiment with the date of the action, on a slip of paper, pin it on your colors
and turn them in to the adjutant of your regiment.'"
A few months later Private Weeks received his Medal of Honor.
AT THE " BLOODY ANGLE '
OHARLSB E. TBAOT.
SergMnl, Co, A, B7tli MuBsachusettB Volunteers,
fiom Id jGwett Cllr. Conn., Oct. B, 1BS3.
SBRQEAHT Charles H. Traot, of Company
A, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Vol-
unteers, relates two brave adventures, as
follows :
"At the 'Bloody Angle,' Spottsylvania,
May 12th, our corps, the Sixth, supported
the Second in the famous charge against
Johnson's Division of the Confederate Army.
During the thickest of the fight. Lieutenant
Wellman was badly wounded, and I was
ordered to take him to the rear. It was
about a mile to the hospital, and the shot
and shell came so thick and fast that it was
extremely hazardous to venture across with a wounded comrade, but I succeeded in
carrying out the order, and after placing the lieutenant in the hospital, I came
safely back through the fire. Upon reaching my company, Lieutenant Sparks con-
gratulated me, saying : ' Tracy, I hope you will not have to cross that field on a like
errand again.' Scarcely had he finished speaking, when a ball pierced his left breast
and he fell into my arms. We thought he was mortally wounded, but discovering
signs of life in him, decided to take him to the hospital, without waiting for
orders."
"At one o'clock on the morning of April 2, 1865," continues Sergeant Tracy, " my
regiment broke camp near Petereborg, Va., and moved up to the enemy's front.
Brigade pioneers and sharpshooters were ordered to rash in advance of the brigade.
The pioneers were to remove all obstacles in front of the enemy's works, while the
sharpshooters covered the parapet. I was at that time detailed as sergeant of the
Third Brigade pioneers, and was second in command in the assault. The part of
the line we were expected to carry was made of enclosed works, connected by
breastworks of great strength with outer obstructions in the form of two lines of
chevaux de frise and two lines of abatis. It was impossible to take the works while
the enemy defended them, unless the several lines of obstruction were first removed.
"As Lieutenant Shiver was wounded early in the attack the command fell on
me, and in directing the removal of the first two lines of the obstructions I received
a shot over my ear and one in my left side ; and while removing the third line, a
bullet shattered my right knee-joint, costing me, subsequently, the loss of my leg.
Supporting myself on the abatis, I gave my orders to my men, and at last had the
satisfaction of seeing them carry away the obstruction, thus enabling General Ed-
wards to rout the enemy and cut the railroad and telegraph. The flag of the
Thirty-seventh Massachusetts was the first to wave over the enemy's works."
r
rs
-Ml-
BETWEEN TWO LINES OF FIRE
'T'he battle of Resaca, Ga., May 18 to 16,
* 1864, occurred during Sherman's cam-
paign in Georgia when General Sherman
had been confronted by General Johnston
at Dalton, and had forced him to fall back
upon Resaca.
Daring the engagement of the 15th an
act of most conspicuous gallantry was per-
formed by Major H. Edwin Tremain. This
oflScer had not been assigned to duty in Sherman's
army, but was attached to the personal staEE of
Major-General Sickles, who was visiting the
command under confidential orders from the
President. With his chief's permission, the major
volunteered for staff duty under General Butterfield, and
rendered important service in command of a brigade.
By an unfortunate accident or misunderstanding during
the battle, the brigade led by General Harrison was fired
upon by that of General Cobum, and was threatened with
the utter confusion and disaster which are the usual and Highest ™nk^ai«ined: Bvt.
natural result of such a blunder. Major Tremain rode BominNew^orkciij.
between the lines in front of Cobum's command, knock-
ing down the muskets of the front rank with his sword and hands ; he stopped the
firing, saved the brigade from destruction, and the assault from failure.
After the battle and as Major Tremain was about to leave, General Butterfield
gave expression to his appreciation of the major's services in the following letter:
"As you are about to leave us this morning to resume your tour with General Sickles,
with a feeling of sincere regret at losing your valuable services, it is a great pleasure
to thank you for them. Your devotion and energy in camp and on the march, your
gallantry at our assault of the enemy's works at Resaca, Ga., and your genial qualities
have endeared you to us all."
B. St>VIN TREHAIH.
1, 6a<i was one of the etanda taken by the Confederates, under Johnston, who were retreating
aouthward before Sherman's Army on its inarch to the sea. The battle at this place, May 13-16, 1884, was
fiercely contested.
On the 13th Sherman deployed his line of battle against the town, and on the 14th he closed in, envelop-
ing it. Skirmishing occurred all day, until late in the afternoon, when Schofield'a Corps was heavily
engaged and driven back some little distance. By a sharp movement, Sherman captured the town of
Calhoun, Johnston's base and reserves, six miles below Resaca.
Heavy fighting continued on the 15th, in which McPhcrson's and Hooker's Corps were actively
eagaged. Meanwhile Johnston arranged to make a strong attack on the Federal left ; but finding loo strong
opposition, he abandoned the idea and left Resaca with hie army on the night of the 15th.
The losses in killed and wounded were about 3,000 on each side.
RESCUED BY A DRUMMER
W"
wnxUH LORD.
^HEH the order, "Every man for himself !"
is given and oi^aized action has ceased,
then has come the critical time for the soldier
on the battlefield. Deprived of the directing
hand of his superior officer the soldier finds
himself thrown upon his own wit and resources
to extricate himself from a generally desperate
situation. An incident like that occurred dur-
ing the engagement at Drewry's BlnfE, Va.,
May 16, 1864.
Early in the morning the Union forces had
carried the bluff, captured the enemy's camp
and driven the Confederates into the woods.
The Federal brigade then formed line in an
open clearing extending from the top of the
bluff to the Centralia Road, a distance of about
600 yards.
The Confederates had planted a battery to the left of the Union line, and at this
point were able to greatly annoy their opponents. It became imperative to silence
this rebel battery, and three companies of the Fortieth Massachusetts Infantry were
sent under command of Major Jenkins to the Centralia Road to accomplish this
task. Subsequently the three companies took up a position opposite the battery on
this road, and from behind a hastily constructed breastwork of rails poured such
effective fire into the rebels they could neither load nor discharge their pieces. Pres-
ently the Confederates changed their tactics and made a charge, and also sent a
large body of troops to flank the small force behind the breastwork. The firing
now became murderous. Soon the brave Massachusetts men found themselves short
of ammunition and had to rifle the cartridge boxes of their dead and wounded com-
rades to obtain the necessary supply. The rebels charged the breastwork and en-
gaged in a hand-to-hand fight with those on the other side. By that time the flank-
ing rebels were approaching and the situation grew more desperate every minute,
especially since the Union men's ammunition was now about completely exhausted.
Realizing that further resistance would be folly. Major Jenkins gave the order :
" Every man for himself ! " Then confusion reigned supreme.
A description of what followed is now given in the words of Drummer William
Lord, of Company C, who earned his medal on that occasion :
" It looked as if not one of us would be able to get away," he says. " Presently
Sergeant Weaver ran up to me, grabbed me by the shoulder and exclaimed : 'Bill,
come on or we will be captured or killed ! '
"We went. Over the fence and into the woods we ran toward our brigade,
Btumbling over the bodies of our wounded and dead comrades. There were the
bodies of Privates Russel and Eeed, friends of ours. Only the night before Reed told
me that he felt as if he would be killed soon. ' If I am, Bill,' said he, ' go through my
pockets and send the few belongings I have to my family.* There he was, poor fellow
— dead ! I stopped long enough to carry out his request I went through his pockets
and took charge of everything he carried. Weaver performed the same act for
Bussell. A short distance farther on we ran across Rankin, a private in my own
" LYING ON THE GROUND WITH AN UGLY WOUND IN THE JAW."
company, who was lying on the ground with an ugly wound in the jaw. A rebel
had first shot and then tried to bayonet him. Though wounded, the brave fellow
parried the thrust and with one blow with the butt of his rifle smashed the skull of
the rebel and killed him on Ihe spot. We took Rankin along with us. When we
reached the place where we hoped to find our brigade, we discovered that it had
been forced to retreat and that now we were between two lines of battle under
heavy fire. We paused a second or so to decide what course to pursue, when I
heatvd load and agonizing cries for help. Looking about me I saw Colonel Eldridge
G. Floyd, of the Third New York, shot through both legs, utterly unable to move.
The colonel complained bitterly that his men should leave and desert him in that
predicament. I lifted him on my back and carried him to the field hospital about
half a mile away. This place soon got within range of ihe rebel rifles and caught
fire. I quickly got a stretcher and with the help of Private Patrick Lenahan, of my
company, carried the colonel out of the blazing building over field and fences to the
Richmond and Petersburg Pike, where we halted. Here we had to do some of our
hardest fighting— not against the rebels — but with a disorganized mob of our own
men, who, in their mad haste to retreat before the advancing enemy, came near
tramping the wounded colonel to death. After many a hard struggle and more
than one narrow escape, we finally were successful in carrying off our wounded
officer, landing him safely at the hospital some miles in the rear."
A BRAVE COLONEL AND HIS BRAVE MARE
w
^HiLB part of Sheridan's cavalry was being thrown
across the Greenbriar River, Va., May 22, 1864,
Colonel Henry Capehart, of the First West Virginia
Cavalry, performed a most daring rescue.
The enemy's sharpshooters were menacing the
passage of the army, and, with a view to dislodging
^hese sharpshooters, the command forded the river
just above the falls.
Being an expert rider, and having a mount well-
known in the army for its swimming qualities, Col-
onel Capehart, whenever a fording was to be made,
invariably took up a station some hundred yards
below the proposed crossing, his experience being
that on such occasions both men and horses frequently
lost their heads, thus causing the loss of life, and on
more than one occasion his foresight in taking up
this position enabled him to help many an unlucky
rider.
A few moments after a platoon of Troop B had
entered the water, one of the men, Private Watson
Karr, was swept out of his saddle and down the swift stream. What followed is
tflld by Colonel Capehart :
" When I started, I did not know that the falls were so near, until I saw Kan
disappear over them. Being in the swift current, in the midst of a swollen river, I
HSNBT OAPEHAKT.
Pa.,M«r.l8,18M.
I REACHED OUT AND QRASPED HIM."
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bad only to clutch my mare by tbe mane wiUi the left hand and the pommel of the
saddle with my right, when we also took the plunge — and oh, such a dive,! I thought
I should never reach the surface again ; when I did 1 had only time for a breath or
two before the second plunge. Either this was not so great a fall as the first or I
was becoming accustomed to deep diving ; at any rate I did not mind it so much as
tiie first.
"When I came up the second time I found I was close to Karr and also that
Minie balls were uncomfortably numerous. I reached out and grasped him, drew
bim across my mare's neck, and turned her head towards the south shore. The
north bank was quite near to us, but so rocky and precipitous, with a heavy current
fretting against us, that I had no alternative but to swim my mare to the south side.
Fortunately, I struck a bar and drew my man along until we stood upon firm ground,
where we were a little under cover from the enemy's fire and could take a much
needed refit. After vomiting a great quantity of water Karr regained consciousness.
When I asked him some questions, however, he was not able to reply and could not
speak. After a few minutes I remarked: 'Watty, you have lost your hat.' He
slapped his hands down upon his trousers. ' Yes,' be said, 'and my pocketbook, too.'
He bad recovered bis power of speech."
RESCUED HIS LIEUTENANT
DDEiNO the hotly contested battle of Drewry's
Bluff, when the Union troops wpre compelled
to fall back, a small squad of Federal soldiers —
fifteen in all — were left on the field. They were
members of Company C, of the Twenty-first Con-
necticut lufautry, under command oE Lieutenant
Dutton, who, having no ordere to fall back, had no
choice but to brave the situation. Rapidly, how-
ever, their position became more and more unten-
able ; tbe enemy was fast closing in on the little
band ; already several of them had fallen under
the increasing mui-derous fire from the Confeder-
ates. Lieutenant Dutton finally was forced to
order a retreat, but had no sooner uttered the words,
than, struck by a bullet, he sank to the ground. Sergeant Robert A. Gray was
five rods away from him when he noticed the Lieutenant's absence, and, looking back,
saw that the officer was disabled and sure to fall into the hands of the enemy, who
were no move than twenty rods away from him. With a few leaps he was by bis side
and found him shot through the leg. He helped him up and managed to retreat
with him. The brave sergeant assisted tbe wounded lieutenant to a place of com-
parative safety and then hurried back to his regiment.
BOBSBT A. OKAT.
RESCUED COMRADES FROM A STRANDED TRANSPORT
C"
OBOBOZ W.
BSDBH.
Highest nnkdUl
Born at Weal Hill, N
ed
Y
Colored Troops
CapUlD.
0ct.4,l»O.
■^OLONBL Jakes Montqomeet, commanding the
Thirty-fourth U. S. Colored Troops, was on
May 24, 1864, ordered to join an expedition under
General Hatch to make a demonstration at Ashe-
poo River, S. C, and to hurn the railroad trestle
across the marsh at that point. The troop steamer
Boston, detailed to carry and land the regiment
at Mosquito Inlet, was of too deep draft for the
steamboat wharf and so the troops were ferried
to her in small boats. "When about two-thirds of
our regiment were aboard the steamer," writes Lieu-
tenant George W. Brush, "orders were given to get
under way. I fastened my small boat to the stem
of the vessel and soon we were steaming up stream.
Mine was the only small boat taken along, the
balance of the regiment and all the other small
boats being left behind in the hurry to get away.
"In the tog and darkness of the night the pilot of the Boston carried us about
five miles beyond Mosquito Inlet,and the first thing we knew we were hard aground
on an oyster bed and at high tide.
"Soon the commander of a small Union gunboat, which we had passed about a
mile below, hailed us, and suggested to our colonel that twenty-five well-armed men
be sent over to his boat, where they could do good work as sharpshooters to prevent
the Confederates from planting a battery and shelling us from opposite the point
where we were stranded. He also promised assistance by bringing into action his
heavy guns.
" The suggestion met with the approval of Colonel Montgomery and I was detailed
with twenty-five men from the Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry to board the gunboat.
In addition, we were joined by fo\ir volunteers, cavalry regulars, armed with Spencer
carbines. Hardly had we proceeded half way to the gunboat, when the Confederates
opened on the stranded Boston. The commander of the gunboat then suddenly
changed his mind, and said that he did not wish to take undue risks. As the last
one of my men clambered aboard his boat, I stood up in the small craft and called
tor volunteers to return vrith me to rescue our 400 companions on the grounded
transport. Four cavalrymen at once answered my appeal and jumped into the small
boat with me, each taking a pair of oars, They were William Downey, John Duffy,
David L. Gifford and Patrick Scanlan, all privates of Troop B, Fourth Massachusetts
Cavalry, all soldiers, brave and noble.
"While pulling toward the Boston, we coald see some of ■Uie frightened eoldiere
jumpiug overlxiiird to sviiux ashore. Am we came alongBide the ixajisporL the colonel
BEFORE we LEFT. WE SET FIRE TO THE CRAFT."
said to tne : ' l.itiiitt>iiiint, everything now depends on you. Yours is the only boat
wo liHVo.' 1 thiMiKlit at tii-st tliat my boat would be swamped, but the men behaved
woU H.H soon lis tht»y roalizod that there was no need of hurry. Then we began the
work of ferrying out comrades from the steamer to the south side (?t the river, taking
about thirty men to a load. Meanwhile the enemy continued their firing, with our
boat as their chief target. Now and then a shot would kill a man and several times
we came near foundering ; but at last we got them all safely ashore. Before we left
the Boston and the large quantity of stores which she carried, besides about eighty
horses, we set fire to the craft and saw her bum to the water's edge."
Lieutenant Brush and Privates Downey, Daffy, Gifford and Scanlan all received
the Medal of Honor.
CHARGED TO THE MUZZLES OF THE ENEMY'S GUNS
EDWAUD HILL,
FEOM May 4 to June 4, 1864, the Army of the
Potomac had been fighting desperately from
the Rapidan to the Chickahominy, General Lee
moving on defensive, parallel lines, falling back
from one stronghold to another. Assault after
assault upon the field-works of the enemy, by di-
visions and army corps, marked the line of the Fed-
eral advance, while storming columns of picket
troops dashed themselves against the breastworks
of the Confederate Army.
By a series of strategic movements, always in
the face of the enemy, the army had moved from
the North Anna to a position south of the Pamun-
key River, confronting General Lee, with his army
strongly entrenched on the Chickahominy, behind
the outer defenses of Richmond. The field of oper- Highest r.nt..min,d= Bv..coi..u.s.v.
ations during the last days of May and the first
days of June covered an area of country diversified by open plains, running streams,
deep ravines, morass and wooded ridges. After crossing the Pamunkey at Hanover
Town, about twenty miles northeast from Richmond, the line of battle was formed
with the Sixth Corps on the right, the Second Corps in the center and the Fifth
Corps on the left, with Sheridan's cavalry as vanguard and rear-guard. Tlie Ninth
Corps was left on the north side of the Pamunkey, to guard the wagon-trains.
A successful assault upon the enemy's cavalry, at Hawe's Shop Cross-Roads, on
May 28th, a few miles in front of Hanover Town, by the cavalry divisions of Gregg
and Custer, was followed by a reconnoissance in force on the following day, to
develop the position of General Lee. The right of the lines was pushed to Hanover
Court House, the center towards Totopotomy Creek, and the left was advanced three
" miles forward on the Shady Grove Road. On May 31st, the Confederate cavalry and
— 850 —
infantry at Cold Harbor were driven from their entrenchments by Sheridan's cavalry
and the position held until re-enforced by the arrival of the Sixth Corps, which at
midnight was moved from its position on the right six miles southeast from Hanover
Court House, to the extreme left of the line, near Cold Harbor.
This apparent concentration of forces at Cold Harbor was detected by General
Lee at daylight and General R. H. And )rson's Corps was moved from the left to the
right of the Confederate line. As Anderson's troops, in the gray light of the dawn>
were seen passing in front of the Fifth Corps, on the Federal center, General War-
ren was ordered to attack the marching columns in flank. The skirmish line of
Bartlett's Third Brigade, under Captain Edward Hill, Sixteenth Michigan, which
had been on picket duty through the night, occupying an advanced position on the
left of the Fifth Corps, nearest the enemy, charged swiftly and steadily through the
intervening timber and underbrush, up the slope to the enemy's works. As the line
reached and carried the rifle pits, a destructive flre of artillery and musketry opened
on front and flank, but the line pressed unfalteringly on, driving the enemy over
their line of entrenchments.
This spirited reconnoissance of the skirmish line having developed the presence
of the enemy in force behind his works, the attack was not pressed, but the regi-
ments of the brigade that had advanced in close support of the skirmish line held
throughout the day, against the repeated assaults of the enemy, the ground so gal-
lantly captured by Captain Hill's line, which was composed of gallant men detailed
from each regiment of the brigade. During this charge Captain Hill was severely
wounded, but he remained with his men until they fell back in the evening.
TUNNELED HIS WAY TO A WOUNDED OFFICER
Two HUNDRED and seventy Union soldiers charged a Confederate force of 15,000
men ! It was at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1864. Thirteen thou-
sand brave Union lives were sacrificed on that bloody battlefield.
No fiercer struggle was there during the entire war, no more heroic deed than
that desperate charge.
To give an idea of the battle a description from the pen of a Confederate officer
is submitted in the following. It is the enemy who says :
"It was daylight. I had just finished a cup of coffee and was lighting my pipe
when someone shouted : * Look ! Look at our pickets ! *
"Our picket line was running toward us in wild confusion. I was completely
taken by surprise. Not a gun had been fired; no enemy was in sight. A few
seconds later I realized what was going on. The Federals were approaching. In
five lines of battle they emerged from the woods at double-quick. Then the battle
began. The Georgia and Alabama brigades opened with musketry and artillery.
The Federal first line wavered back upon
the second and both pressed back the third
line. Finally all five lines were in disorder.
The Union men retreated to the woods. A
second time they advanced. They had no
caps on their guns and were unable to fire
a single shot. On the other hand our
artillery fired double-shotted canister from
two rifled guns at a distance of a hundred
yards and was decimating the Federals as
they advanced at an awful rate, mowing
them down by the dozens. At every dis-
charge of our guns, heads, arms, legs, guns
were seen flying high in the air. But we
were opposing a determined and gallant
foe. They closed the gaps in their lines as
fast as we made them, and on they came,
their lines swaying like great waves of the
sea. Thus one upheaval from the rear Born.iFUehburB.M..,..ju!y>w,i8H.
would follow another and hurry nearer and
nearer to the murderous fire from our works. So terrible was the slaughter of the
brave Union cohorts that ab some points their dead and wounded were piled upon
each other five or six feet high — their blood literally drenched the field. For fully
an hour and a half the Federals chained again and again — only to meet the same
fate. Never before did I see such invincible resolution. Finally the Federals passed
out of sight and we prepared for the next assault.
" Twenty minutes later it was reported that the battle was to be renewed. Look-
ing out over the works I saw what I believed to be one regiment with a single flag
and a single officer with drawn sword in the lead calling on his men to follow him.
" It was the Twenty-flf th Massachusetts — the only regiment which obeyed the
order to return to that bloody field. And, as I subsequently learned, there were
but two hundred and seventy men in that regiment at that. Not since the famous
charge of the six hundred at Balaklava has a more heroic act been performed.
OBLAHDO p. BOBB.
Cold Harbor, T«. — After the battle of Spot tay Ivan ia, General Grant placed hia army across
the Pamunkey Biver and moved to Hanover Town. On the first day of June, 1801, he began the battle of
Cold Hartxir, Va., a contest which he afterward acknowledged to be a mistake.
Lee's forces were strongly posted at Cold Harbor and the Federals were repulsed. On the 3d, Grant
renewed the attack and was again repulsed, losing nearly 13,000 men. In all of the engagements at and
around this point from June Ist to the l?th, the Union forces suffered a loss of over 14,000 men, while the
Confederate loas was about 1,700.
Thereupon Grant quickly changed hia base to the Jamea River with a view to the capture of Peters-
borg and the conquest of Richmond from the goutheaat.
"With this eulogy of the glorious conduct of the regiment from the Old Bay
State ill mind, thu writer is now acquainted with an incident which occurred during
the battle and centers around a member of the same regimental organization.
"It waii after thy bloody repulse of one of the attacks. The brigade had fallen
back to a line of earthworks about one hundred yards from the enemy's position.
Presently a
'\ bullet whiz-
zed through the
yy air and struck
'^.- Lieutenant Daly,
of the Twenty-fifth
Massachusetts, squarely in
the breast. He fell, mortally wounded,
to the ground about fifteen yards in
front of the Vnion lines. Half way
between the lines was a rifie pit. where Corjioral Orlando P. lioss and Privates
Aldrich and Huttles Iiad taken up a position.
"The foniior saw the limitenatit fall and heard h\< piteous cries for watir. \'i\-
Miiudful iif tho torrilir liail of bullets. Corporal Uoss crawled out of lii-* Imle aii'l
approached the wounded officer near enough to (te able to throw him his well-tilled
canteen. Keturning to the pit he found that Aldrich had been wounded during bis
"THEY USED THEIR SPOONS."
brief absence. To remain longer in the entrencbment was almost inevitable death ;
the plucky corporal therefore resolved to attempt to get over the breastworks.
'"Don't leave us here, if you go,' the wounded soldier moaned. It had never
entered Boss' mind to desert his comrade in the hour of peril. Yet the poor fellow
was so weak from loss of blood that he could not have walked a dozen paces
unassisted.
"Boss quietly took his wounded comrade upon his back and with his heavy
and precious burden staggered through the shower of bullets in front of three Con-
federate lines of battle toward the breastworks. Miraculous as it may seem. Boss
accomplished his noble task and carried the wounded soldier off the field in safety.
Boss now determined upon the rescue of another life — that of the wounded officer.
The permission to carry out the attempt was readily granted by General Stannard
and several men of the regiment volunteered to assist. It was impossible to bring
the dying officer over the breastworks with any assurance of success, and it was
therefore decided to first carry Lieutenant Daly to the rifle pit and thence to the
Union lines through a tunnel dug through the works. Accordingly, four men were
at once sent to work to do the digging, while Boss and Private William D. Blanchard
started on their extremely hazardous mission of mercy. They crawled over the
works and in the face of a murderous fire made a rush and a dash for the rifle pit.
From here they dug a trench to the place where the officer lay, a distance, as stated
before, of about fifteen yards. Having no other tools at their disposal they used
their spoons and worked for four long and weary hours before they had their arduous
task completed. The rebels could not fail to divine the object of their work and
hurled countless shots and missiles at heroic Boss and his no less heroic companion.
But a kind providence guarded their lives and crowned their efforts with success.
The lieutenant was safely reached and carried back to the rifle pit on a rubber
blanket. They then again called their spoons into service and excavated till they
met those who were tunneling from the inside of the works. In this manner Lieu-
tenant Daly was brought to the Union lines. The heroic deed was performed, but
the officer for whom Boss and Blanchard had braved death succumbed to his
injuries shortly afterward."
RESCUED THE COLONEL'S BODY
"I OANNOT order any man to such service. Is there any
' ont) in your company who will volunteer to make
the Hoarch ? " askod Lieutonant-Colonel Bates.
It had boon a terrible day at Cold Harbor on the 2d
of Jnno, 1804, and to none more so than to the Eighth
New Y()rk Heavy Artillery. Across a perfectly open
field tboy churtied through grape and canister, Colonel
l*ort.pr leading' on foot. In thirty minutes over 500 men
woro hut. In u tinul effort Colonel Porter fell almost
under the ouoiny's guns. The attack was repulsed. leeot wmoAio,
H,, , , XJ3J 3 j.i_i3 B«rg»«nt.B«lterTG,8th New York H.A.
was in diineusitmg bow t-o hud and rescue the body Bom ^ outgo. s.w. Aug. is. um.
of the gallant colonel that Lieutenant-Colonel Bates
ealleil for a volunteer to make the search. Sergeant LeRoy Williams, of Battery G,
Kightb Now York Heavy Artillery, stepped forward.
The oniers were: "do to the outposts, sweep the enemy's front with a field-
glasit, and locate Colonel Porter's body if possible."
Kafiily onter^d. It was a perfectly clear day, the field open, and sharpshooters
on all sides. However, fortune favored the scout. Though shot at fifteen or twenty
times, he complete*.! his errand without a scratch.
Meanwhile volunteers were called for to rescue the body. When Williams re-
turned and re^Ktrted, Colonel Bates asked him: "Would you just as soon pilot a
detail to the Kxly f "
"Certainly."
" How many men will you need J "
"The smallest number possible : four are sufficient.'^
"Well. St'r^'aut. there is your detail ; take a stretcher and bring in the body of
Colonel Porter at all hazanls*"
" 1 took the first four men from the right of the detail." says Sergeant Williams,
"much to the disappointment of the rest of the volunteers. They wen? Galen S.
Hieks, John I>uff. Walter Harwood and Samuel Traviss.
*'In i^assiug the extreme outpost in the night, a corporal reported an officers
body directly in front, but very close to the enemy's line.
"*Why. it's worth a man's lite to go out there.* he exclaimed.
■"That b the Kxiy of our colonel and we must get it.* was our an;swer. 'Keep
watch for us as best you can. and if the ball does open, give us a little chance to get
iu.'
" FalUuj; flat oo my stomach. I worked my way to the body. We wen? rijrfit : it
was the Uvty of the colonel Traviss soon followed. I'nable to move the bodv
without attracting attention, I sent him back for a rope, while I Tomalned with the
body to prevent its being rifled. During the hour or more I lay there I saw an
officer of the enemy taking observations. He was so close I could hear the rattle of
his side arms at every move. Finally the rope came. Travisa fastened it to the
feet of the body, and creeping away stealthily, we gradually drew the body to the
vidette post."
BRAVE AND DEVOTED TO HIS COMRADES
EOOSKZ K. TIHXHAH.
A FTER the three days' fight at Cold Harbor, Com-
^"^ panies A and H of the One hundred and forty-
eighth New York Infantry, were detailed as skirm-
ishers preceding a charge by the brigade. Sergeant
Eugene M. Tinkham, who was with his company in the
skirmish line, says that."the brigade advanced through
the woods and charged steadily and bravely across the
open field, but the odds, both as to men and position,
were too great, and back over the field, which was
strewn thickly with dead and wounded, we were
forced to retreat into the woods from which shortly
before we had emerged full of hope for victory."
The sergeant continues :
"Knowing that many of our boys were on the
field in a helpless condition, I asked and received per-
mission to attempt to bring some of them back to our
lines. By crouching and crawling on hands and knees I reached the side of Andrew
Grainer, who lay upon the battlefield with a shattered ankle. Rolling him on a
rubber blanket, I succeeded in hauling him back to his comrades. Then I made a
second trip and found John Bortle who was in a critical condition and utterly help-
less from a shot in the head, arms, hip and leg. He was a heavy man, and after
getting him on a rubber blanket, I was forced to adopt a method of my own to drag
him along. Accordingly I sat down as far from the blanket as I could reach and
dug holes for my heels to get a brace to work against. Then reaching forward I pulled
at the comers of the blanket and dragged the wounded man to me. This process
I repeated until at last I reached the woods where the stretcher bearers were.
Both wounded men belonged to my company. They died three days later at the
hospital."
<v
A REBEL GENERAL THE MUSICIAN'S PRISONER
JAMBS SRZDIIBR,
I M recounting his experience at the battle of Piedmont,
^ Va., Musician James Sneddon, of the Fifty-fourth
Pennsylvania Infantry, says:
"On the 5th of June, 1864, after reveille and a hastily
cooked breakfast, we were ordered forward on the march,
which soon brought us within hearing of the enemy's fir-
ing, whereupon our lines were hastily formed and skir-
mishers advanced. During the formation of our line of
battle we were subjected to a terrific fire from a Con-
federate battery of six twelve-pound guns, but on we
went until our skirmish line reached a protected posi-
tion, where we were ordered to lie down.
" I was principal musician of the regiment, and our
colonel ordered me to take my musicians to the rear
and if possible keep the command in view, in order to
join them after the battle. As he spoke to me we both
observed one of our men on the skirmish line, as he fell, wounded, and I at once
offered to take his gun and go on the line. The colonel assented and immediately
thereafter I was in the ranks with my old company.
" In a few minutes the whole line was charging the Confederate defenses, which
were constructed of rails and fallen trees, and here both armies received their great-
est losses. The two lines of battle were not more than seventy-five yards apart,
each pouring lead into the other with good effect.
" It was during this struggle that the Confederate general, William Jones, was
killed, and the loss of their gallant leader caused the Confederate line to waver and
then break. Thus far we had fought tor every inch we traversed, but with the break
in their lines came renewed energy to our chaise. Over the works we went, and in
a hand-to-hand fight drove the rebels slowly back, maintaining their line formation
until they reached Middle River, where we took 1,600 prisoners.
"On the banks of the river I encountered a Confederate brigadier-general and
demanded his surrender, whereupon he reluctantly handed me his sword and two
revolvers. I then marched my prisoner to the rear and reported to the brigade
commander to whom I turned over the general and his sword."
PiedmoDt, Vs.— General Sigel, commanding one of the two columns into which the army in the Shen-
andoah Valley was divided, advanced up the valley as far as Newmarket, where, after a fierce engagement,
he was relieved of his commandby General Hunter, who immediately took up the offensive. On the 6th of
June Hunter encountered the Confederates at Piedmont, where he captured 1,600 prisoners and three
pieces of artillery. After thin battle he formed a junction with Crook and Averell at Staant<m, from which
l^ace they moved toward Lynchburg by way of Lexington.
COURAGE, ENERGY AND
MILITARY ABILITY
JITLinS STAHSL.
/~\s the fifth day of June, 1864, at daybreak
^-^ and shortly after General Hunter's Army
commenced to move on Staunton, Va., the
advance force of his cavalry was attacked by the
enemy and driven in. General Hunter was march-
ing at the head of his army, and immediately ordered
General Julius Stahel, who was near him, to at-
tack the enemy with his cavalry and to check their
advance. General Stahel chained the approaching enemy
and broke and drove them about two miles, where, meeting
a stronger force, he charged the enemy's lijiie again with
the same results as before and pursued them as far as
Piedmont, where he found the enemy in great force, ad-
vantageously posted in a wood behind a line of defenses
constructed of fallen timber and fence-rails. Having no
infantry. General Stahel did not attempt to attack them in
so strong a position, but kept them there with his cavalry until the arrival of Gen-
eral Hunter with his force. The latter at once attacked the enemy's stronghold,
and ordered General Stahel, whose cavalry was somewhat exhausted, to form the
reserve.
The battle raged furiously for some time, each side holding its position, until
Hunter ordered a general advance all along the line and directed General Stahel to
dismount that part of the cavalry which was armed with Spencer rifles— seven-
shooters — and support the right wing. In compliance with this order. General
Stahel rapidly moved with his dismounted force to the extreme right, attacked the
enemy's entrenched position in the wood and dislodged them. During his charge
General Stahel was badly wounded ; but, wishing to follow up his success, he had his
wound quickly dressed to stop bleeding. As he was very weak and had the use
of but one arm he was helped on his horse and, with a portion of his cavalry,
which was in readiness, made a quick detour at the head of his column, chai^ng
the enemy on the flank and turning it. Just at that time General Hunter with his
infantry attacked the whole line with great impetus, and Colonel Wyncoop with the
balance of the cavalry chained on the right flank. The enemy was now com-
pletely demoralized and fled in great confusion, leaving over 1,000 prisoners,
including a large number of officers. General W. E. Jones, the commander of the
enemy's force, was killed and his body fell into the hands of the Union troops. Gen-
eral Hunter pursued the enemy until night set in, capturmg many more prisoners,
and the next morning occupied Staunton.
The Confederate loss in this battle was estimated at nearly 3,000. General Hun-
ter lost less than 800 men.
General Stahel's courage was highly commended by his superiors and the vic-
tories largely accredited to his gallantry, energy and military qualities. General
Hunter in his report of June 9, 1864, to General Halleck, wrote ; "It is but justice
to Major-General Stahel to state that in the recent engagement he displayed ex-
cellent qualities of coolness and gallantry, and that tor the final happy result the
country is much indebted to his services."
A RIDE TO ALMOST CERTAIN
DEATH
A FTEE its raid against the Danville and South-
■** side Railway, the Third Cavalry Division,
commanded by General James H. Wilson, on its
return march to join the Army of the Potomac
in front of Petersburg, found a large force of
rebel infantry, cavalry and artillery in position,
barring its passage at Beam's Station, Va., within
five miles of army headquarters.
Captain E. W. Whitaker, who was serving on
General Wilson's staff, took in the whole position
at a glance. Perceivingthatit would be imprac-
^ ° "^ Captoln.Co. E, First CcmnwUcut CavBlry,
ticable for this column, jaded and almost worn High™ir»nitniiainpd:Bvt.Brig-Gvn.u.8.v.
out by a week's incessant marching, working and
fighting, to force its way farther without assist-
ance, he volunteered to take a squadron and ehai^e through the rebel line and inform
General Meade of the division's perilous straits and that help must be sent at once.
General Wilson accepted Captain Whitaker's offer and directed him to proceed
immediately on his desperate mission. He was entirely ignorant of what had be-
come of the Army of the Potomac, or where he should find it, or what perils he
would encounter on the way. It looked as though he were starting on a ride to
certain death.
Selecting Lieutenant Ford and forty troopers of the Third New York Cavalry,
he explained to them the hazardous character of the undertaking, and instructed
them that whoever should survive should make his way as rapidly as possible to
army headquarters and describe the position of the cavalry column he had left
behind.
Not a man faltered, but the entire detachment dashed forward after their gal-
lant leader, who, bearing to his left and striking the rebel right, broke through theii
line like a tornado, and galloped on to headquarters, where he arrived at an earl;
hour of morning with only eighteen of his gallant cavalrymen. They had cut
through the enemy's line which one of General Wilson's officera, after reconnoiter-
ing, had reported as " strong as a stone wall."
Captain Whitaker gave the necessary information and at onee volunteered to
guide the Sixth Corps to the rescue, but its movements were so dilatory that it did
not arrive until long after the cavalry colamn, despairing of help, had made a. great
detour by which it eluded the enemy, extricated itself and rejoined the army several
days later.
Captain Whitaker was highly commended by General Wilson, immediately pro-
moted to the rank of major, and received the Medal of Honor for his services in this
notable cliarge.
A SUCCESSFUL ROUND-UP
0-
^H the 15th of June, 1864, at the battle of Kenesaw
Mountain, a large portion of Johnston's Army
was in a well-defended position a few miles north of
Marietta, Ga. The Forty-sixth Ohio had been ordered
to make an assault on the works, supported by troops
from General Morgan Smith's command, while troops of
General Logan's command were to make a feint to the
left to divert the attention of the enemy and draw his
fire.
"The carrying oat of the plan was according to or-
ders," says Private James K. Sturgeon, " and at the outset
the Forty-sixth Ohio made a chaise over a hummocky
field. The breastworks were ably defended and during
our short plunge we were under heavy fire, but we were
not to be stopped and up over the works we went. At
once there was a scattering. Some of the Confederates
surrendered immediately, while others, running to the rear, concealed themselves in
the tall grass and underbrush of a ravine which they entered. Fortunately for ua
most of the Southerners threw away their guns in their flight While our regi-
ment was busy securing the captives, three of my comrades and I went out beyond
the works and followed the fleeing Confederates. We picked up the frightened
Johnnies everywhere, from behind stamps and logs, in the grass and in the bush.
We continued this work until we had rounded up some thirty odd prisoners, when
we marched them back to our lines."
JAMEB K. STUBaBOH,
UNDER SPECIAL PROTECTION OF PROVIDENCE
0"
JOSEPH O. OBBOQ.
Prtvatf , Co. F, ISSd Ohio Vol. Intantry.
Born In CIreleTllle, O., J«q. B. 1841.
'\N the morning of June 16, 1864, while General
Grant was crossing to the south side of the
James River, and General Lee was endeavoring to
reach Petersburg before Grant could occupy it in
force, the First Division of the Tenth Corps, com-
manded by General Robert S. Foster, was pushed ou*
to destroy as much as possible of the Richmond and
Petersburg Railway, and delay the Confederate ad
vance led by General Pickett's Division, until Grant
could complete his crossing, and again get his army
together.
The One hundred and thirty-third Ohio, which
formed part of the division, was placed in support of
a battery which fired over the men as they lay in a
rifle pit lately occupied by the enemy, the division
holding it against repeated assaults by Pickett's forces
until about 3 o'clock P. M. Heavy re-enforcementa enabled the enemy to turn the
position of the Union forces, who were forced to fall back across the open, level
field about one-half mile to the edge of the woods, where they formed a new line of
defense. The enemy followed in close pursuit, aud their skirmishers occupied the
abandoned works, while their main body began to form in their immediate rear for
another assault upon the Union lines.
It was then reported that Companies B, K and G, of the Ohio regiment, had not
returned with the main body, and were probably in imminent danger of capture by
the advancing foe. As a matter of fact, however, the companies mentioned had re-
treated by a different route and were safely posted in another place in the new line.
Colonel Joshua B. Howell, of the Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania, commanding the
brigade, directed Colonel G. S. Innis, of the One hundred and thirty-third Ohio, to
procure a volunteer to go back in the direction of the abandoned position, make a
search for the missing men, and order them in. He insisted that the messenger
make haste, as another assault was imminent.
Private Joseph 0. Gregg of Company F, offered to go. The subsequent events
are narrated by Adjutant Alanson N. Bull, who issued the call for the volunteer :
"6re^ had been quite ill the night before. The sui^eon had ordered him to
remain in his quarters, but when he learned that we had been ordered out to a pos-
sible fight he disregarded the surgeon's orders and took his place in the ranks.
" I hesitated about accepting bis volunteer service, as he looked frail ; but the ex-
igency of the case required quick action and I directed him to discard everything
which might impede his movements, and without delay go out in the direction of
the abandoned breastworks a short distance and look for our missing men.
" Through a misunderstanding of my instructions Oregg walked directly across
the field in full view of the Confederate lines, climbed upon the crest of the breast-
works, then partly occupied by the foe, and stood looking about him as coolly as
if the battle lines of the enemy did not exist at all. He apparently paid no heed to
the rapidly advancing foe, whose skirmishers were already in part of the works
upon which he was standing. Our anxiety for the missing companies and the im-
minently perilous mission of Ore^ caused Colonels Howell and Innis and myself
to closely watch his movements through our field glasses.
"OTHERS WERE FIRING AT CLOSE RANGE."
"We saw him mount the breastworks, look about him for a moment, then rur.
along the crest about 100 feet to the left and suddenly spring from the embank
ment over which a large number of men in gray could be seen leaping in an effort tc-
head off his retreat, while many others were tiring at close range at their active
young foeman. who. dodging with zig-zag rushes to avoid the blows aimed at his head,
quickly gained the lead and successfully made his escape to our lines, all the while
under a concentmted tire, several balls having passed through his cap and clothing,
but without injury to his pereon other than a few bruises.
" We considered it a truly remarkable exhibition of daring. Alone, surrounded
by hundreds of Pickett's best marksmen, surprised by finding himself in the midat
of enemies instead of friends, and ordered to surrender, Gregg's quick decision and
prompt, bold action, together with his skill in keeping a portion of his pureuers be-
tween himself and their marksmen, alone enabled him to escape with life and limb,
when to us who were watching his struggle there did not seem to be a chance in
his favor.
"We rode out to meet Gregg as he reached our line, and he reported to us that
he had seen men behind the breastworks and imagined them to be the companies he
had been sent after. He had also observed the rapidly approaching battle lines of
the enemy, and, fearing they would reach the men first and capture them before
he could warn them of their danger, had run along the crest of the embankment
and ordered them to fall back to the woods, as we were retreating, only discover-
ing his mistake when a voice called to him: 'Surrender, you Yankee!' He
found himself surrounded and being fired at so closely that the powder almost
burned his face as he leaped from the embankment, dodging others who were strik-
ing at him, and fighting himself clear of the crowd of pursuers, until he reached
our lines. After hearing his report the colonel commanding said to him : ' That
was bravely done ; you must have been under special protection of Providence.'
"The enemy assaulted us a few minutes later, partly breaking our line, but were
driven back after a sharp fight."
THREE EXAMPLES OF SOLDIERLY DEVOTION
SBBQEANT JoHN Beosnan was iu Command of Company E,
One hundred and sixty-fourth New York Infantry, at
the battle of Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864, because so
many of his superior officers had been either killed or
wounded. The struggle was desperate and, after repeated
charges, the Federal line began to waver.
Sergeant Brosnan sprang to the front and called on his
men to renew the charge. They did, but were forced into
a ravine, where they made a fierce rally. When night
closed in on the worn-out soldiers and they were shielded
from the enemy by the impenetrable darkness, they threw
up breastworks. Early the following morning, Brosnan's
attention was called to loud groans coming from a
direction exposed to a very heavy fire. Investigation
showed that a Union soldier had been wounded by concealed rebels. Sergeant
Brosnan decided to rescue him, although he fully realized the danger of the task.
Exposed to the fire of rebel sharpshooters, he succeeded in teaching the dying sol-
dier, who proved to be Corporal Michael Carroll, of Company E.
"For God's sake, Sergeant, lie down or you will be killed," the moribund
whispered feebly. The plucky sergeant lifted his comrade upon his anna and with
JOHN BB08HAH,
great difficulty carried him out of reach of the enemy's
fire and behind the breastworks. During this heroic
rescue he himself was struck above the right elbow,
entailing the loss of the arm. Thus the sergeant be-
came a cripple while saving a wounded comrade.
PBAHCIS II0BBI8OH,
The same day, when the Union forces had retired
from Petersburg to Bermuda Hundred, Private Francis
Morrison, of Company H, Eighty-fifth Pennsylvania
Infantry, performed a similar deed of heroic devotion.
The regiment was in full retreat under the mur-
derous fire of General Pickett's advancing troops,
when Private Jesse Dial, of Morrison's Company, was
struck by a bullet and left behind. Private Morrison
saw his comrade fall and, with utter disregard of a hail
of bullets, advanced towards the enemy and was soon
at the side of his friend. As he tenderly raised him from the ground he discovered to
his dismay that Dial was dead. He then carried the corpse back to his regiment.
A month later, in a charge at Deep Bottom, Va., Private Morrison himself was
wounded, a musket ball passing through the breast and leaving a wound in his
back which the most skillful surgery failed to heal up. The award of the Medal of
Honor was the Government's graceful appreciation of such bravery and soldierly
qualities.
John H. Harboubne, of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, also won
his medal in this action. In the heat of the conflict the entire color-guard of the
Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry was killed,
whereupon Private Harboume took the colors and
carried them at the head of the regiment. The
Confederates could not withstand the vigorous as-
sault and soon the charging column was on the
breastworks and into the redoubt. Private Har-
bourne with his flag was close to the Confederate
colore, lying at the side of their wounded color-
bearer, and in an instant had them stripped from
the staff and tucked safely under his blouse. A
moment after he was wounded in the foot and fell
to the ground, but upon recovering from the first
shock he found that the redoubt was taken. Al-
though he was suffering great pain from his wound,
he managed to capture three rebels and brought
JOmr H. HABBOUBHE,
them into the Union lines, where he turned them and the Confederate flag over to
General Bumside. Next morning Private Harboume was ordered to report at head-
qnarters and was there thanked and commended by General Bumside, and sent to
the hospital. _______^^__
RECAPTURED COLORS AND TOOK TWO PRISONERS
PATRICK B. HONAGHAH.
" r\uBiNQ the night of June 16th, the Forty-eighth
'-^ Connecticut Infantry of the Ninth Army
Corps," says Sergeant Patrick H.Monaghan, "of which
I vras a memlier, crossed a marsh in single file, and
took position close to a portion of rebel ranks. While
in this position every man was instructed to make
no noise and be ready for a charge.
" Before daylight the order came, and we and the
Thirty-sixth Massachusetts dashed forward under a
heavy fire, leaped the enemy's breastworks and
captured four pieces of artillery, six hundred prisoners
and a thousand stand of arms. The enemy fell back
in confusion toward their next line, while our troops
occupied the one just taken. Other members of my
company and myself followed the retreating rebels.
Between the line just taken and the next the ground "BTraV!j'ajo,irei'Bn™Nov.Ti8M''
was undulating. A small stream flowed in the hol-
low. Clumps of trees and bushes lined either side of this stream and the enemy
made a stand here and delivered fire. As we dashed forward, I saw an officer near
the thicket and fired. He fell near the stream with his head almost in the water.
Immediately a tall rebel threw down his gun and ran toward him. I rushed up
swiftly and, leveling my empty gun, ordered both to surrender. The tall man cried
out : ' Don't shoot the Major ! '
" I told the major to get up and we would help him back. But as I was speak-
ing, I saw another group of rapidly retreating rebels, among them a private with a
gun in one hand and a flag over his shoulder. I jumped toward him and ordered
him to drop his gun and surrender. He dropped the gun and I ran fonvard, took
the flag and marched him to where my other prisoners were seated.
" By this time our troops in the line behind us had begun to fire over our heads,
and the Confederates opened a heavy fire from the line in front, but I ran back to
my own company with the colors. I got over the breastworks safely, and when I
unfurled the flag found that it belonged to the New York Heavy Artillery, who had
lost it in the fight of the previous day. My three prisoners were afterwards brought
in by some of my companions."
THREE MEN CAPTURE TWENTY-SEVEN "JOHNNIES'
OfiKJty W, AUWS,
pKivATB Hesby W. RowE.of the Qevenih XewHamp-
* sbii-e Voiuuteere, ^ives rhe foilowing interesiing.
■iescriptiou nf liuw he won lua iletial <>i Honor:
■Od rhe niglit nt rlie 15th oi .Fune. ISjHi. Bamaide
-.vitli liis \iutL I 'orpa rroMseU rhe James River, and atter
;l ^weuty-four hour march arrived at rhe 'lUtpostH of
i'pier&biuTi \vi[U -ho auvauce of hia I'orps. .Vt li P. iL
;iii advaurt? ua* 'imde iu rhe fate <fl a iiiunieroas tire,
aud ihe Kleveutli N*:;w Hamijsiiire Wuunteere. roirether
vith rile St'.coii'.i ^hLiyialld. -uc-ceetieti \a ::eitini£ <-lose
luder a iv'oel I'attery. After >everdi houn? oi cominuoua
rirm^.iiuriiitt whii-h iiiauy nieu were killed and u-oanded,
'he iisisauic liad to iie yiveu np.
" Nut ■lL';t'.ounui{e<i ^'V "his rirjc r^puise. 13amaide
wcuuuoitered "he iiues aud 'ieteruiiueti "o maivB a
-tiroud aa^auit. The jujiuL i-hoeieu lUr rhe attack \vaa a
resideuce uwucd iiy Mr. ^lumd. a Iarg«^ ruo-:>toi-y '■iiiidiu^ -hadeti '-y imttouwood
and gum :rt^es. Airli a I'each Miriiard in rhe tf^ar. I'ifty yards ri-oiu rherrontdoor
'.Viis a iianuw iiniiie nfteeu nr rweuty feec deep, -vith a i*rook ^owiii^ northward.
\Ve.st Ml riie iiouse noouc "iie .-ame distaiice was another '>i-ouii, -iie r-.vo joininft
Tweuty ]''rtis; north "i rhe iionse. .V ivoei iTigade aeid Tins tongue uC uiud with tour
liun^. 'heif mam i:ne ut' i-reaatwoiks was along 'he edge ot the niviue fnai oi the
hou.--e. S.iiiLh. .Mill <-u iiianei' yitjuud. -vas a redan with uvu iruns.. vuiL-h eniiladed
rhe cw int.".
■ it Ails iUunside > L'iea to take riii& t.on;;iieoi laud, 'atak the i'f"iit*i iine and t'om-
pei riitf i.-vatMiLUun ..i rhe niiau. lenerai I'otterV Division ni riie ^"iutu vorpw waa
-eleCLed '<• fiufi "Ut liis [ilan. and riie uctaL-kiuji ■oiumn wan lo .onsisr. oi 'ienerai
liriihu •■! iiritiaiie on liie riirht, ^npjMjrted hv v urtis' i>u ilio 'fix. • iritHn^ !'ri;(aaecoa-
raiutd. aii rnid. '■my ■Jrti) men. aud in riie injnt liae i he lllevtuin N'?v\ iiaiupshire
''ound ;r-- i-.^x'. .:ii.-uiuiu,ii i onipauy I wiih irs reinaininx nve ('fivau'?.
"A i>[it- iiijf i'lulnifiJic ''eneiiii ;'i)rtec u-a M:- aiviMou iiilo ;iie rivme in iroiili
■'[ '-nit ..oii-v. ":ie .->Jiuiei> ■i:ve^ttfo liieniwive.. oi kiim'satk.--. i-unit-trus ;iiui c-upa —
• Vfi;. liii;;- ■. iii.M i-i ..lid niaKe ii li-nst*— .liiu iiiovtj'.i ■■■rward sieaiiliiiy. \d "ae .■'till
■Lui ^-t-i :rT" . , •; ,it-:. \ e i"ai;nen ' 'le r:n isir-, ^nn *nei'e .iMOVt' li.--. ::■*< Lifrt-t^n [>uce8
:;^faii-.- '.■■■ . '■ -■■■■i .-M'KrT.s. "'lie ..::;itt '^ir 'ai'in iiiiU -■iii">, ''.*' AV '-vad
ii-i'A.-i, -A , /!ir ■ ■.iio,-, :■:*; [f.'nm "i.'iKUinii i^iii ;'llI'1 '.^'.-iir. ■•■.: .1 -mud
;t.- .■;;,■..■■■ . ■• . M: • = .- •-, i a;il;.iu ■■:• .i -: I'llV -l.ul n-'im ; lie i -.LV.n. - ■ ,i.-l:;.
lint; .i; .\ ui.>tte(.-"'.
"ONE BOUND AND THE REBEL PICKETS WERE OVERPOWERED."
"The men ime in a body from the ground ; not a gnniock clicked i the l>ayoneT
was CO do the work. Forward we started with :Meady, noiselesB ^cep. tJne hotind
and the rebel pickets were overpowered. N"ow toward the 3hand House, and liver
the In-eastworfca ! At The right of the house. tJomrade Batchelder. ot i_'ompanr [.
joined me, and fOfm we feil in with 'Jtoi' Dodge. Sei^^eant of Company '.'. Passing
the .-Mitiond 'rtjriitr i>i rlie houae, we heard the report of a musket from a rebel pit
about ttfteeu feet ?o rhe riclit. We ran around to the rear of this pit and shouted :
■Surrender, you dauiae«l rebels!' The '-rohnnies' were rather mdeiy awakene<i
from their -iieep. and ;ilthough twenty-seven in number, droppni rheir iruns.
"iuarded iiy 'lur attacking force of three, rhey were dnally tnme*l over to rbe Union
otficeii) in rhe rear, rogerber with a rel)el dag i-aptnrwi l>y myseif. The ret)ei line
watf broken and ' irant".-» lines were <trawn doaer around PeterabuiiE.'"
CAPTURED. BUT THEIR COLORS WERE SAVED
W=
/"HiLE >ome "itHt men of the Ftuirth and Sixteenth
Vermont [nfantry were destroying rhe Weldon
Railroad. Va.. June i3. IbfH. they found rhemyeive- .sur-
rounded by lieneral Mahone'f« Division of :i.(NMt I'onfed-
erates; but though they were fio greatly outnumbered,
rhey neverthelesB made a brave resistance. The Hiiemy".s
tire was doing terrible execution ; more than half of the
Union soldiers had been killed or woundeii.
The commanding officer of the Verrnouten*. seeing
rhey I'ould not extricate themselves, and rhat capture
was inevitable, stepped up ro rfergeaut James Drury.
of the Founh Vermout Infantry, who liad 'he colors,
and remarked that the regiment would lose its
standaid.
ram.m.o n Drury replied: "They will have ro kill this
Irishman before they get it."
The officer pointed to a road whlcli seemed to offer some chauce as au aveuue
of escape.
"(to that way and perhaps you may succeed in escaping rhe rebels.'' rhe officer
observ&l. Dniry lost no time in following rhe advice. Wnipping rbe Hag around
the sraff. iie .-iaid to his command; " lioys. I'm going ro save rhis Hag or -lie iu the
attempt. "
Privates Brown and Wilson failed out: "We'll t* with you, ^^ergeaur."
.Vnd then tiie rhree siaited across the npen fields. They had not progressed far,
however, when rhe rebels shouted to them: "Halt, you damned Vankeesl"'
JAMES DBORT.
but the Yankees did not halt. A shower of bullets was sent after them. Poor
Brown fell. To their regret they had to leave the brave fellow behind. Sergeant
Drury and his remaining companion, Private Wilson, ran as fast as they eould and
safely reached the timber. By this time darkness had set in and the fugitives were
able to conceal themselves in the woods till daybreak, when they found the Federal
pickets, and thus saved the flag from falling into the enemy's hands.
RETAINED COMMAND IN SPITE OF SEVERE WOUNDS
'T'he battle around Saint Mary's Church, Va., June
* 24, 1864, brought the Second Brigade of the
Second Division of Sheridan's Cavalry into a sharp
and deadly struggle with superior numbers of Wade
Hampton's Confederate Cavalry.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, after irreg-
ular skirmishing all morning, the enemy made an
attack in great force on the Second Brigade, to
which Colonel Charles H. Smith's First Maine Cav-
alry was attached, and from that time until dark
the fight was carried on by the brigade with un-
daunted vigor. The enemy, over-confident because
of their overwhelming numbers, charged time and
again, only to be met and held in check by the gal-
lant brigade. There were no disengaged men in
the Union lines ; all worked with a fury, the cavalry
charging, while two batteries in the rear poured
load after load of canister inte the staggering lines of the enemy. Colonel Smith,
at the head of his regiment, was wounded in the thigh, but, keeping his seat, led his
brave men into the thickest 'of the fight, where his horse was shot from under him.
Mounting another, he again was in the lead. Again his horse was shot from under
him, throwing him heavily to the ground. A third horse was secured, and in the
retreat, after two hours of the fiercest cavalry fighting, the colonel, although again
wounded, remained with his men, fighting the pursuing rebels until darkness put an
end to this unequal contest.
OHABLEa H. SMITH,
Colonel, ]9l Maine Csvaliy
It Hollla. Me., Nov. I. ItOT.
The object of the Tierelian lUd, Tm., June 7-24, 1864, was to go to Lynchburg and open comtnunica-
tion with General Hunter. That object was not accompliahed and the cavalry returned via l^e White
Hotue Landing, where a large trainof wagons was packed awaiting escort to the James River. The cavalry
supplied the escort and crossed the Chickahominy at Jonea' Bridge. On the morning of the 24th, Gregg's
Division was sent to Saint Hary's Church as a flank guard, and, thus became separated from the main
cavalry corps. Hampton discovered this fact, and, as he despaired of capturing the train, concentrated all
his cavalry to capture or destroy Gregg's Division.
HE PAUSED AT THE SIDE OF HIS DEAD CAPTAIN
HSLSOH W. WASD,
A 81CAU. force, part of which was the Eleventh Penn-
^~* sylvania CavahTr, was sent, June 25, 1864, under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stetzel, to destroy the
railroad bridge across the Staanton River, half a mile
south of Burk's Junction, Va. The enemy was strongly
entrenched on the south side of the river and on both
^^^^^^^^^^^ sides of the railway bridge. The approach to the bridge
O^J^^^^^^^^V acd the Confederates' position was flat meadow land,
--^^^^^B|^^^ destitute of cover for the advancing force, excepting
>''yCT\ ^5^^^^ perhaps a slight depression caused by the dry bed of a
. / * \ branch of the river. The Pennsylvania Cavalry waa
ordered to advance on the bridge and entrenchments,
led by carbineers selected from each company. A.
member of Troop M being suddenly stricken ill, the
oiiiu,Mjv.w,ii,a7. captain called for a volunteer to take the sick man's
place, and Sergeant Nelson W. Ward, though he himself
had been on sick report for a day or two, volunteered and took his place in the
ranks. The story is continued by Sei^ant Ward, as follows :
" Our troops moved forward in an irr^ular line, and, with the right resting on a
small trestle between the railway station and the bridge, took a position in the dry
bed of the stream. The fury of the fight was soon on, firing at short range from
both artillery and infantry sending death into our ranks with terrific swiftness.
With a salute to my captain, I asked: 'Isn't the colonel going to form the men in
line for a charge ou the bridge ? ' at which Captain Gerard Reynolds replied, giving
the order : ' Forward, men, forward !' They were the brave officer's last words, for
he fell dead, shot as he uttered the last word of his command.
" Just theu, too, from under the trestle, we heard the colonel ordering the captain
to move his men to the right, toward the railroad. Thus, with our company com-
mander dead, our regimental commander skulking, it was not singular that the men
wavered under the shower of shot and shell. One of the men asked nie: 'What
are we to do ? ' I replied : " Follow me, boys,' and. swinging my carbine over my
head, I led in a charge against the bridge until every man but one had been shot
down."
SUuutuu Itlvur ItriiliR. Va.— While "iieraiing in VirRinia in June. 1864, General Janiea H. Wilaon,
• i)io I'liini Iiivisi...ii .if Slicriilmfs Cavalry Corps, urderetl Geueral Kaulz's Division to attack
the oiifiiiy and d..'jir.>y liie liriJgu aoro=a tht ;;?tauntt)u River. The aUack was maintained for three hoim,
but tailed. TIk' lVd<-riil? suir.-n.-d a Ir-ss of sixty in killed lUid wounded.
"It was an awful slaughter and a hopeless effort. With but two of us left, we
started back for the dry bed depression. On the way I found the dead body of my
captain, and stopping, I knelt down to secure his money, watch, revoWer and spur.
Although repeatedly urged by comrades across the railway and further back on the
line, I remained fully twenty minutes at his side, endeavoring to procure a.=«' *
"FINALLY HAD TO RETREAT
TO THE MAIN FORCE."
to carry the corpse off the field, but I waited and be^ed in vain, and finally had to
retreat to the main force without the body of our brave and beloved captain."
During this truly heroic effort, a bullet struck the heel of Sergeant Ward's boot,
and another bullet passed through the skirt of his blouse.
The money and other articles from Captain Reynolds were turned over to the
proper authorities.
A MUSICIAN AS A SHARPSHOOTER
A LONzo P. Webber, of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Volun-
^* tears, Principal Musician of his regiment when it
was engaged at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Oa.,
June 27, 1864, distinguished himself by voluntarily ad-
vancing as a sharpshooter.
Seeing the desperate situation of his regiment, with
no chance to advance, he obtained permission from
Colonel Fahnestock to "go in" as a sharpshooter. With
a Winchester rifle and 120 rounds of ammunition, he
succeeded in advancing to within twenty-seven feet of
the rebel line of battle, which was formed in V shape.
There he found shelter behind a tree, and although he
was at the apex, with the enemy on both sides of him, he stood his ground from
nine o'clock in the morning until six o'clock in the evening. Being an excellent
shot he brought down a number of the enemy, while the Union forces lay behind
him at the distance of a city block or more, unable to get closer to the enemy's line.
Webber's courage on that day won him the admiration of his whole regiment,
none of whom had expected to see him return alive from his dangerous position.
ALOHZO p. WEBBBB,
PrlDClpal Mu9)c1(tn, S«ili lUlnoU Vol.
Bom Sfsrch IB, 1828.
SenesAir Honntabi, Ga.— Almost continuoue fighting was engaged in from the 8th to the 27th of Jane,
1804, in the vicinity of Kenesaw Uountain, both sides sustaining serious losses. Sherman had moved his
arm; to a position in front of Allatoona, occupying the railroad from Allatoona and Acworth to Big Shanty,
. in eight of Kenesaw Mountain, where he was joined by General Blair, with two divisions of the Seventeenth
Corps, thus making his effective force 100,000 men. On the 10th he moved his army to Big Shanty, repaired
the railroad and bridges, and had the cars running up to his skirmish lines.
Heavy fighting occurred on the 14th at Pine Mountain, near the Acworth and Marietta Road, in
which General Polk was killed by one of Sherman's volleys from a battery fired to keep up the appearance
of a bold offensive. Johnston concentrated his strength by the 20th and made his position strong, witit the
Kenesaw Mountiiin for a salient. On the 27th, Sherman, after stretching his lines to the utmost, fell upon
Johnston's fortified position, the assault being made in the morning. At all points along the ten miles
over which Sherman's army extended the Confederates resisted the assaults, and by noon Sherman's
attempt was pronounced a failure.
Sherman's loss was about 2,500, while Johnston's was only 800. A truce was granted on the 2Sth of
June to allow the Federabto bury their dead.
»
LEFT TO THEIR FATE, BUT ESCAPED
OBOBQE B. DATU,
Vint UenteniDt, Co. D, 10th Vermont lot.
Bom kt Dunstable, Han., Dm. X, IBM.
Highest rank attained! Captain.
/^ENEEAL Lew Wallace, who was opposing Gen-
^^ eral Early's advance at the Monocacy River,
Md., in July, 1864, placed a line of skirmishers on
the west bank of the river to defend a railroad
bridge and a wooden bridge that continued the
pike from Frederick City to Washington.
On the 9th the situation was critical. Early's
forces greatly outnumbered Wallace's. Ricketts
was engaged with the enemy and might be driven
back before the skirmishers could be retired. If
the skirmishers were retired the enemy would fol-
low on their heels, thus allowing no time to destroy
the bridge.
General Wallace, seeing that it was useless to
further resist the overwhelming assault, decided to
destroy the bridge and sacrifice his skirmishers to
save Washington.
Lieutenant George E. Davis, of Company D, Tenth Vermont Infantry, who was
in command of the skirmishers, gives the following account of their brave resistance
of the enemy and of their ultimate escape :
" Early in the morning on the 9th, with one second lieutenant and seventy-five
men of our regiment, I was ordered to report as skirmishers to Captain Charles J.
Brown, commanding Companies C and K, First Maryland Regiment, near the block-
house on the west bank of the Monocacy River. He and his two hundred men had
just entered the service for one hundred days, to repel this invasion of Washington,
and knew nothing of actual service. The lieutenant-colonel, nominally command-
ing our skirmishers, was not 'present,' so that when the enemy advanced along the
pike to Frederick City at about 8:30 A. M., Captain Brown insisted upon iny taking
command, and ordered me to hold the two bridges at all hazards, and prevent the
enemy from crossing.
"I assumed command instantly, brought up my Tenth Vermonters to this point,
and after a severe fight of about an hour the enemy retired. Having just assumed
command, I knew nothing of the situation, or plan of battle, except as was apparent
After the battle of Piedmont, Va., General Hunter advanced toward Lynchburg, which he reached
on the 16th of June, 1864, but for want of ammunition he sought Harper's Ferry, which left the Shenan-
doah Valley uncovered. General Early took prompt advantage of this opening to cross the upper Potomac
into Maryland and threaten Washington. After rapid marches he crossed the Potomac on the 4th of July,
but was met by General Lew Wallace at the Monocacy lUver, who, in General Hunter's absence, made an
obstinate stand against the invaders. Wallace, with his small force, was unable to copo with the over-
whelming force of the enemy, and retired, but not, however, until after he had held Early in check long
enough to notify Grant of the situation, whereupon the latter ordered Wright's Corps to push out and
to attack Early ; but the Confederatei retired across the Potomaa with but little loss.
to the eye. The natural advantages of cover and position were in our favor. The
main body of the enemy moved around to our left and crossed the river at a ford
one mile southwest, compelling General Ricketts to change front to the left and
advance his line to the west of the pike. This left us a part of the main line of
battle, without any support in our rear, which gave the enemy the opportunity to cut
us off, take us prisoners, cross the railroad bridge and turn General Ricketts' position
"WE
GAINED
THE
RAILFtOAD
BRIDGE AND
STARTED ACROSS"
■Anticipating a flank attack, 1 had. on assuming command, sent pickets up and
down the river, who warned me of this movement, which was eotirely hidden from
my view. I drew back my men to the west end of the railroad bridge, faced to the
north, repelled the attack, then resumed my former position on the pike, which we
held until the tinal retreat at about five o'clock. During all this time we were the
'v troops on the west side of the river.
"In the early part of this noon attack, the wooden bridge over the Monocacy
River was burned, without notice to me. At the same time the Ninth New York
pickets were all withdrawn, also without notice.
" The third and last attack began about 8:30 P. M. The situation was critical ;
the enemy came upon us in such overwhelming numbers and with such desperation
that it seemed as though we should be swept into the river. The place of the Ninth
New York pickets at my left had not been filled ;. the force of the hundred-day men
was diminishing. Apprehending an advance at my left, I sent Corporal John G.
Wright through a cornfield to reconnoiter. He was killed at once. Immediately
the enemy were seen passing around my right, to cut us off from retreat by the rail-
road bridge ; our division was falling back and we were obliged to do likewise at once
or succumb to the merciless fire. I gave the' signal to retreat to my noble Vermont-
ers, who had stood the fire without wavering. We gained the railroad bridge and
started across, stepping from tie to tie. It seemed ages before we reached the other
8ide, though in reality it must have been only a few minutes. One poor fellow fell
through the bridge to the river, forty feet below, and several were taken prisoners,
for the enemy had been close at our heels all the way. Those of our number who
escaped rejoined our regiment at midnight."
THE CAPTURE OF FIVE CONFEDERATE CAVALRYMEN
COBPOEAL Geoege W. Healet, of Troop E, Fifth
Iowa Cavalry, who participated in General
McCook's Cavalry Raid during Sherman's Atlanta
campaign, says; "At Newnan, Ga., July 29, 1864,
our company was ordered out on the skirmish line
vi^hich was on the extreme left of our main line of
bttttle. The engagement lasted more or less all day.
In moving out we struck into low ground, timber and
heavy undergrowth. It was difficult to keep our align-
ment and intervals and consequently 1 soon discovered
that I was alone and unobserved. Suddenly I ran into
a body of Confederate soldiers. Their officer was giving
a command to mount and count fours. They did not
see me, ao I began to retrace my steps and moved back
to find my command, when, to my surprise, I came
upon a Confederate who was seated on a log and ordered
him to drop his gun, which he did. I picked it up and
threw it into the creek. Just as I was about to move vrith
my prisoner I heard someone approaching us. Ordering the rebel to lie down, I sought
protection from behind a tree and waited. To my satisfaction I recognized in the
new arrival Private Oscar Martin, of my company, who was bareheaded and coming
OBOBaS W. HEALET.
CorpTkl. Troop E. Fifth lava Cayaliy.
Bom Id Dubuque, Iowa, Feb. 93, 1M3.
toward me at a quick pace. He had lost bis way. Looking at m; prisoner and
pointing to the direction whence he had come, he said : ' The woods are fall of
'em.' 'Yes,' I replied, pointing to where I had been, 'and over there, too.'
" Martin scrutinized my prisoner and asked : ' What have yon got in that bag ? '
"The rebel answered: 'Chewing tobacco.'
" Whereupon Martin compelled him to disgorge, and, I confess, it came in handy.
" As we were about to resume our march, we heard men talking. We got behind
a tree and the next minute four Confederates came, trailing in Indian fashion,
toward us. Martin and ] stepped from behind the trees and covered them. I or-
dered : ' Halt ! Drop those guns ! ' but had to repeat the command before they obeyed.
I then marched them aome fifty feet, halted them, and ordered one man to advance
at a time, when Martin and I relieved them of their revolvers, holsters and belts.
Next, while Martin kept guard, I went back, removed the cartridges from the rifles
they had dropped and returned the empty guns to them. We moved toward our
lines and reached them without further interruption, where we turned our five pris-
oners over to General McCook, who paid us a high compliment."
Corporal Healey received a Medal of Honor ; his companion died or he would
doubtless have been honored in a like manner.
THE COLONEL'S WRATH WAS
APPEASED
A T THE Battle of Pbach Tbeb Ceeek, Ga., before
^*- Atlanta, an act was performed by Color-Sei^eant
William Crosier, of the One hundred and forty-ninth
New York Infantry, of which an officer of his regi-
ment says :
"It was one of superb bravery in action and of de-
votion to the flag, which made him hold life as nothing
beside the safety of the starry banner." williab ckobibr,
This officer continues : "The field was covered with
woods, thick with undergrowth and trailing vines. The
troops of the line of battle were suddenly and unex-
pectedly attacked by a superior force and routed. Our brigade, being in reserve
in column of regiments, was ordered forward, each regiment advancing as it became
During the operations before Atlanta by the Union Anny, the Confederate general, Johnston, was
relieved of hia command by Hood, who at once engaged the Federals at Peach Tree Creek, Ga., July 20,
1864. He was repulacd with a loss of 4,796. Sherman's loss was 1,710. After several cngagemcnia in
which the Federals were victorious, Hood retired, September 2, to Lovejoy's Btation, thirty miles away,
and Shenn an took possession of the town.
deployed. This brought the regiments into action singly, and each in turn was
routed by overwhelming numbers.
"Oar regiment crossed the enfiladed ravine at the center, with the colors and
about seventy-five officers and men, and ascended the woody acclivity thickly un-
dergrown with brush and vines, only to recoil under a withering fire full in our
faces."
Sergeant Crosier adds : " We were far ahead of the main line, trying to establish
the advanced position, when the fight began. The regiments were sent in, one at a
time, to check the advance of the enemy, and were literally wiped out as they were
struck. Then came movements never to be foi^otten. My six color-guards having
all been shot down within six feet from where I stood, I found myself alone, un-
armed, with Confederates storming all around me and demanding my flag. I cried
to them to take it, if they could, and, swiftly tearing the flag off the staff, stuffed it
under my shirt and retreated, leaving my flag-staff behind."
Out of the bushes Sergeant Crosier came staggering and covered with blood from
a serious wound, and — empty handed. He met Colonel Bamum, the commander of
the regiment. "Where is that flag?" he angrily demanded of the color-sergeant,
drawing his sword ready to cut him down.
Sergeant Crosier smiled feebly, unbuttoned his blouse and produced the flag.
MERITED PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ADMIRATION
" My grateful penonal acknowledgment of the almost inea-
teemable service you rendered the country. • • •
"Your chivalry and daring described by the above generals
and so appreciated by them and by myself, which always wia the
admiration of the world, are acta of absolute, Indomitable courage,
not needing to be emblazoned by the correspondent's pen, as they
are written on the annals of the American history by your sword.
"Yours very truly,
"AsRAnAU Lincoln."
T^E proud recipient of this flattering letter was
* Captain M. R. William Grebe of the Fourth
Missouri Cavalry and aide-de-camp to Generals Mc-
Pherson, 0. 0. Howard, and Logan.
The generals to whom the President refers are
Generals Sherman, Sheridan, Logan, and Blair.
Interesting indeed must be the career of the sol-
dier who earns the praise from these heroes of a great
nation ! Captain Grebe's career is highly fascinating, romantic, thrilling.
When the war broke out. Grebe, who is a native of the Province of Hanover —
then the Kingdom of Hanover — was a lieutenant in the army of his country. The
H. B. TULIABI QBBBB.
CapCatD. fourth MlSBOurl Cavslr;,
Bom In BtldMh^Im. Germanj, Aag. 4,
Blghcet rank attained: 1I»]ot.
—880-
stniggle of the Union for freedom and liberty axoused in the young officer an
enthusiasm for the Federal cause which induced him to resign his rank, leave home
and country and cross the ocean to espouse a cause which had appealed to him so
strongly.
Upon his arrival here he at once joined the Union forces and was made a lien-
tenant of Tioop T, Fourth Missouri Cavalry. His military training and excellent
soldierly qualities at once drew the attention of his superior officers to him and ere
long he found himself promoted to a captaincy in the same regiment. A little later
Major-General McPherson selected him as one of his aides-de-camp.
From the very outset of his military career on this side of the Atlantic, when he
first went into battle until a dramatic incident abruptly placed him back to a
civilian's life, Captain Grebe s conduct was one of inspiring brilliancy — a succession
of extraordinarily daring feats, so much so that Congress in awarding him the Medal
of Honor found it impossible to particularize, but granted it for his general gallant
behavior.
On July 22, 1864, he was sent by General McPherson to deliver a message to
General Kilpatrick at Decatur, Ga. The Confederates were driving back the Union
cavalry in wild confusion and had successfully turned the Federal left wing. Captain
Grebe delivered his message and at once obtained permission to participate in a
cavalry charge with his orderly, Henry Wagner. He himself led this charge and
in a mad rush, which struck terror to the hearts of the Confederates, while it inspired
his own men, broke through the ranks of the enemy, completely routing them.
He caught up with the color-bearer, who had the flag fastened to his stirrup and leg,
thus allowing him to handle the reins and his revolver without hindrance. The
Confederate frequently fired at Grebe, two of the shots taking effect ; but that did
not deter the plucky captain, and when his horse was along side that of the Confed-
erate's, he grasped the flag and cut the rebel down with a tremendous sabre blow-
over the head.
Captain Grebe, however, did not escape unhurt. He was bleeding profusely from
two gunshot wounds in his legs, and upon his return to General McPherson was told
by this commander to seek medical aid at the hospital, but the captain declined and
in spite of his condition remained in the saddle all day.
During the afternoon of that same day General McPherson was shot and the
captain again became a leading figure in the battle.
He was riding to the place where he had only a short time before left the gen-
eral, when, to his amazement, he observed his commander's horse coming riderless
from a thicket. Instantly Captain Grebe knew what had happened.
Dauntless and alone, not knowing whether he would encounter an army corps
or a corporars guard, collecting a few cavalrymen on the way. Captain <trebe charged
into the thick underlnush.
G-eneral Frank P. Blair says in his official report : " The fearless captain ran np
against the very rebels who had just killed General McFherson. The dead hero had
been robbed of his belt, field-glasses, watch, pistol and papers. The struggle took
place where the general had fallen. A rebel on horseback made a dash at Captain
Grebe, who shot him down. Two men on foot raised their guns at the Captain's
head. Wagner, the plucky orderly, put a bullet into one, while the captain himself
split the other's head with his sabre. Then the rebels fled, leaving the general's
body in the possession of Captain Grebe, who on this occasion captured a corporal
and numerous other prisoners."
"HE'CUT THE REBEL DOWN WITH A TREMENDOUS SABRE BLOW."
Six days later, at Ezra Church, General Logan's Corps was engaged with the
enemy, who had made three furious assaults on his lines, only to be repulsed each
time. After the third repulse and countercharge by the Union troops, S. Houston,
of Company F, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, was missing. Some time later he was dis-
covered midway between the lines of battle and held down by the body of his horse.
Captain Qrebe instantly mounted his horse and dashed out toward the enemy's line,
some 700 yards distant. Reaching Houston's side he dismounted, cut him free from
— 882 —
straps and stirrups and, getting him out from under the horse, helped him into his
own saddle. Then, mounting behind, he brought him back to be received with a
tremendous cheer along the whole Union lines.'*
At the battle of Jonesboro, August 31, 1864, Captain Grebe, at that time aide to
Geneiul 0. 0. Howard, volunteered to cross Flint river with a message to a dis-
mounted cavalry regiment which was needed to re-enforce the line of battle at a point
which was seriously threatened. Away he started and after swimming the river and
crossing an old cotton field, continuously braving a terrific fire of musketry, grape
and canister, he reached the regiment and started with it in the return. As the re-
enforcement took position in the line of battle. Captain Grel^e dismounted and, pick-
ing up the gun of a fallen comrade, took his place in line. He was in a kneeling posi-
tion, firing, with one knee for a '"rest," when General Logan and his staff rode up
from iDchind. The general, recognizing his former aide, remarked jokingly: ''Captain,
you're getting religious even in battle line and you will go to heaven ; but this is no
place for a camp meeting.''
At this Captain Grebe jumped upon the earthworks and waving his gun, shouted:
**To hell with camp meetings, lets go to yonder hell first. Come on boys!" Gen-
eral Logan s bugler sounded the call and the whole line made a most successful
charge. As the Union forces met the Confederate line, which was turning to run*
Captain Grebe struck a color-bearer, who fell, dragging the colors <lown with him.
Then the captain got into a hand-to-hand fight with several Confederates and was
nearly overcome, when an otficer of Osterhaus' Corps came to his assistance. Cap-
tain Grelje again spi-ang forward to wrench the fiag from the falleu color-bearer,
when the sword of a hostile sergeant struck his left breast and he fell unconscious
upon the body of the rebel ttag-bearer. Simultaneously, Wagner again (*ame to his
captain's rescue, aud with a slashing blow of his sabre cut the Confederate sergeant
down.
After the l>attle General Logau saluted Captain rirebe with a wave of his slouch
hat, saying: " Well doue, <.Jrebe ; the battle is won by your iutrepidity aud dasii."
Aud now follows a dramatic incident. Captain Grebe, in recognition of his
unusually gallant services, was ordered to proceed to St. Louis, Mo., to be promoted
Colonel of the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. While in that city he one evening escorted
ii lady to a theatre and was incensed at an insult to which he and the lady were sub-
jected by Ferdinand Hansen, also a cavalry oflicer. A duel was the inevitable out-
come. They fought with 45-calibre revolvei-s at a distance of twelve yards. Hansen
fell, shot through the breast, but eventually recovered. Captain Grebe was cashiered
from the army as well as all those who had any part in this (///i///r J' Itu/mnw.
Thirty year> elapsed before Captain Grebe's case, the duel aud the cause which
led up to it. was investigated by Congress. Then not only was his honorable dis-
charge ordered, iau so greatly impressed were the nation's representatives with the
military record of this officer that they awarded him the Medal of Honor as a just
tribute of his unexcelled bravery.
INTERRUPTIONS AT A REBEL BREAKFAST
^SSiSiSi
BDWIH M. TBDBU..
An assault was made by General Force's Brigade
■'•^ upon rebel works at Bald Hill, near Atlanta,
Ga., July 21, 1864. The action opened early in the
morning by a bayonet charge up the hill, through a
cornfield and across a field of underbrush and small
trees felled in all directions to obstruct the advance.
The Twelfth Wisconsin formed part of the brigade,
and as it swept up the hill Private Edwin M. Truell,
of Company E, was severely wounded in the right foot
by a Minie ball. The wound was very painful and
caused the injured man to limp, but he could still
travel and bravely kept up in line. The regiment
took three lines of breastworks and captured many
prisoners. As the Union soldiers bounded over the
earthworks at the first line, the rebels in the trenches
were completely taken by surprise. They were at their breakfast and left their com
and cakes and bacon in tin pans on the ground as they sprang to their feet, guns in
hand. Private Truell struck three Confederates, who were so terror-stricken that
they, unable to recover their wits, cried : " We surrender ! We surrender ! What
shall we do ! "
"Throw down your guns and go to the rear!" Private Truell shouted, and the
rebels fairly fell over each other in their haste to comply. The advance continued.
Once over the last line, Private Truell took station behind a large pine tree, where
he tried to rally his comrades to his support. The order to retreat had been given,
however, and the breastworks on the right, which had not been captured, were now
pouring in an enfilading fire. For some few minutes Private Truell maintained his
position, but, finding it impossible to bring others forward and anticipating a charge
by the eneriiy in an effort to retake the works, he fell back across the road and
rejoined his comrades. The rebels did charge and during the subsequent severe
fighting the plucky private received a second shot close to the first wound and fell
exhausted from loss of blood to the ground.
His comrades ran to his assistance and offered to take him to the rear, but he
refused. Instead he crawled on hands and knees through a strip of woods, across
the field and down the hill to a little creek, where he dressed and bandaged his own
wound with a handkerchief. He returned in the same manner, and, unmindful of
his own condition, directed his attention to his wounded comrades, whose thirst he
quenched from his canteen, and whose aufferings he endeavored to alleviate. It was
evening when he was taken off the field and conveyed to a field hospital, where, after
seven weeks of intense suffering, the leg was amputated.
•,\
— 885—
point, being lower down on the sloping ground, had to be built higher than usual and
had not been prepared for scaling. But ladders were quickly formed by some of
our men placing their bayonets between the logs and holding the butt end of the
muskets at hip and on shoulders, up which the others climbed, aided by oflScers
standing on top of the parapet. But as rapidity of action at such time was of the
greatest importance. Colonel Marshall, commanding the brigade, and standing below
within the works, ordered me to go forward with what men I had. We moved with-
out waiting for the rest of our command, at double-quick, to the Crater, and planted
our flag first over its ruins, capturing many prisoners and two brass field pieces
which were in the left wing of the fort not damaged by the* explosion. I decided
that the magazines must be near, and my men soon uncovered the entrance, which
had been filled with falling earth. One gun was soon prepared for action, and
silenced one of the enemy's guns which was giving us canister. Our first fire
brought in a number of prisoners forced to surrender or meet death.
" On reaching the Crater, an appalling sight was witnessed. We realized some-
thing of the terrible effect which the explosion of so much powder, placed twenty-
five feet directly under the fort, must cause. We found an excavation some thirty
feet deep, sixty feet wide, and probably 130 feet long. One huge lump of red clay
was thrown on the surface facing our own works ; broken guns, timbers, sand bags,
men buried in every conceivable position, some with an arm, hand or head only
uncovered ; others with feet uppermost, and still others on top of the fallen earth,
with bones broken. One had fallen to the bottom of a shaft twelve feet deep, at the
entrance of a countermining tunnel, toward our lines.
" We were not able to learn, nor had we time to explore its extent, but were in-
formed by a captured lieutenant that two such shafts had been sunk, tunnels
being worked at the time, and, had they gone deep enough, would have discovered
our own.
" We were forced to pass through the Crater, climb the opposite slanting wall,
and over the crest to traverses beyond, where our men received the fire of the Con-
federates from whom, in a hand-to-hand encounter, we captured a Confederate
battle flag.
"But in the meantime the enemy had not been idle. A battery had been
brought up from the left to a position out of range of our artillery, and opened fire
with grape and canister on our troops, and sweeping the crest of the Crater, aided
also by the guns in the two forts on our right, and one on the left flank, re-enforce-
ments having been thrown into the Confederate main line on both flanks, their
terrific and incessant fire concentrated upon that point rendered it impossible for
us to advance and deploy.
"A brigade of General Mahone's Confederate division advanced to a charge,
during which their battery had to withhold fire, giving us an opportunity to bring
into action one of the captured guns, and by turning it upon this column eflBcient aid
was rendered to our infantry in repulsing this first effort to dislodge us. The
ammunition from the rebel magazine being nearly exhausted, and our gunners too
exposed in working it in plain view and range of the eueray, we were compelled to
discontinue its use, and soon thereafter Mahone's entire Confederate division
advanced and charged our colored troops, who had
done splendid fighting, and, being now compressed
to a small space with no protection on front nor
flank, were forced back, carrying the other troops
with them to our main line.
"I passed through the Crater along the rear wall to the wing where I had left the
two captured guns in charge of a sergeant and detachment. The entrance, a narrow
passageway, was covered by rebel sharpshooters, and General Hartranft called
out quickly to me to drop down and crawl in. I and my orderly, Corporal Stanford
Bigelow, passed through safely.
"I found Generals Potter, Hartranft, Griffin, and one or two others; General
Bartletb was in the pit of the Crater, shot through his artificial leg, and unable to
-387 —
walk, thus preventing his escape. The rebels were then on all sides, except that
fronting our lines, and firing into the Crater. Our men still within it were placed
along the rear and flank crest to keep them back ; several were thus killed, shot
through the head ; these would fall backward, and if they did not roll to the bot-
tom of the pit, laid with head toward it, so that the blood ran down its sloping walls
in small rivulets to the bottom, where it formed pools before its absorption by the
red clay.
" At this time the pit and its sides were filled with dead and wounded who could
not escape capture or death. Intense suffering was being caused from want of
water and surgeons ; and unprotected from the sun, with not a breath of air stirring
in that hell hole, many must have died under the torture, and later, many more,
still living, it is believed, were buried therein by the Confederates. If the sight
was appalling to iron nerves, what must it have been to those inside, awaiting death
so heroically ?
"Then we turned our gaze to the open field between the lines, over which we
had advanced at daylight, now strewn with the bodies of hundreds of our dead and
dying, white and colored, with the hot midday rays of a July sun beating mercilessly
down upon them, which was still swept by the concentrated cross-fire of the enemy's
artillery and infantry, over v/hich it seemed impossible for one to pass and escape
death. After remaining there for some time in the stifling heat amid such scenes
of carnage and suffering, and realizing that a protracted stay would probably add to
the already numerous prisoners taken by the enemy, or lengthen our long death
roll, I decided to make an attempt to reach at the nearest point, our lines, over
which I could see my own regimental flag floating in the slight sultry breeze, in-
dicating its direction, which was favorable to my plan already quickly formed of
releasing those general oflBcers and all others not seriously wounded. On inform-
ing them of my decision, they protested, and endeavored to convince me of the
great danger and almost certain death to go across that field under such a fire. I
replied that it was sure death or starvation in rebel prisons, to remain, and I pre-
ferred to take the risk then. After watching the explosion of shell and noting the
point of its striking the ground, I gave word to my orderly that on the explosion of
the next I would make the start, he to follow a short distance in my rear, so
we should not be in line, and we could pass beyond that point before another
explosion and before the range could be changed. The rebels saw us right after the
start, but passing through showers of bullets we reached, with a bound, the crest of
our works and sprang from the parapet within, safe and unscathed. I immedi-
ately ordered my men, who had received ammunition and were prepared to hold
these works, to open a hot fire on the enemy to the right of the Crater, who, ap-
parently expecting another attack, replied vehemently, and very soon the field was
covered with smoke, through the pall of which every general left in the angle or
wing escaped in safety to our lines."
Four months after this battle Captain Charles H. Honghton was assigned to duty
at Fort Haskell, Va., as commander of the post, the garrison consisting of 350
men, including several batteries of artillery. About this time printed copies of an
order of amnesty issued by General Grant, providing that deserters coming into the
Union lines, bringing their arms and accoutrements, would be paid a specii5ed sum,
and, on taking the oath not to again take up arms against the United States, would
be furnished free transportation north, had been freely circulated along the Confed-
erate lines. Through the operation of this very order, the Confederate general,
Gordon, succeeded in entering the Union lines in his night attack on Fort Sted-
man on the early morning of March 25, 1865 — the last general assault by Lee's
army on the Federal intrenchments.
General Gordon decided to make his assault from Colquitt's Salient, a point not
more than 200 yards from the Federal lines, with a force of about 12,000 infantry
supported by a large cavalry force and with a heavy force in reserve. Shortly
after three o'clock on the morning of the 25th when the darkness was intense, a file
of 100 picked men advanced from the Confederate lines and, utilizing the tenor of the
amnesty order, the first man called out : " Don't shoot ; we want to come in." In
this way the sentinel did not fire and was immediately killed by a noiseless bayonet
thrust. Aided by the darkness, and followed by detachments to cut away the abatis,
the force of the enemy grew until, having the strength of an assaulting column,
they attacked that part of the unoccupied works to the right and rear of Battery Ten,
next north of Fort Stedman. Here they were met by a portion of the Fourteenth
New York Artillery, garrisoning the section of the line which was in position. Cap-
tain Cleary, Lieutenant Thomson and Sergeant Delack hauled one gun to the sally-
port and opened on the assailants, capturing several prisoners and the flag of the
Twenty-Sixth South Carolina Infantry. Lieutenant E. B. Nye, commanding the
section of artillery in Battery Ten, was shot down while gallantly defending his
guns.
Commandant Houghton, two days previous to Gordon's assault on Stedman, had
added 60,00^) rounds of ammunition for all arms to his magazine supply, and on the
eve of the 25th had advised his officers to be ready to resist an attack very early the
next morning. Wlien asked for his reasons for having such an opinion, he said his
premonition was strong and unexplainable and that he was advising extraordinaxy
precautions, as he felt that they were necessary.
About three o'clock the next morning, Sylvester E. Hough, the last watch on the
outer post, saw blue lights flashing along the rebel picket pits and heard the sound
of chopping on the lines. He fired a signal gun, and as a more rapid fire than usual
was heard along the left front of Fort Stedman the men in Fort Haskell were form-
ing in line and answering the roll call. Captain Houghton hurried to the banquette
on the right flank of his fort and at once saw that the enemy were on the left flank
of Stedman, between the two forts. Word came that the Confederates were stealing
along in the dark toward the front of Fort Haskell, at which the captain ordered his
-889 —
men to their positions on the banquette of the front parapet. There, cautioning his
men to reserve their fire till he gave the command, the garrison stood silently in the
darkness, with one of Captain Werner's guns loaded with case shot, and trained on
the opening of the abatis through which the Union pickets passed in and out.
As Captain Houghton and his men stood there in enforced silence, the Confed-
erate column in double rank reached the abatis and their commanders could be
heard cautioning the men to move more quietly and steadily, and, " we'll have their
works — ^steady men, steady."
" Wait," whispered Captain Houghton, " wait till you can see them ; then fire."
"Steady, men, steady," again whispered the Confederate leader as the Union
soldiers waited breathless and with leveled muskets.
"Fire!" shouted Captain Houghton, and a terrific volley from cannon and
muskets, heralded by a single, awful crash, swept along the ranks of the astonished
band. Surprised, almost demoralized, the enemy fell back a short distance to reform
and advance again up the slope. As before, they were received with a concerted vol-
ley from cannon and musketry, to once more go reeling to the rear. Then what
were left quickly divided into small squads and attempted by making simultaneous
attacks at different points to carry the fort, but most of them were killed for their
folly.
As soon as it was light enough to see that the American flag was still flying over
Fort Haskell, all the artillery of the Confederate works and the captured guns in
Fort Stedman and Batteries Eleven and Twelve were turned in a concentrated fire
on Captain Houghton and his gallant garrison, while the Third New Jersey Bat-
tery, in position at embrazures on the right flank and on parapet, was firing shell
and case-shot into the enemy.
The rebels made three furious attacks, but were driven back in confusion each
time. Up to this time the garrison had been fighting almost alone, but now they
had been joined by Major Randall and a few who had escaped from Fort Stedman,
and small detachments from other regiments had come in. However, on the other
hand, a Union reserve artillery battery near Meade's Station began firing upon Fort
Haskell, under the mistaken notion that the fort had been captured by the enemy.
Color- bearer Robert Kiley with colors and a guard was sent out under fire to the
rear to signal the battery to cease firing. Four of the color-guard were shot down.
During the second charge by the enemy on his right flank and rear Captain
Houghton, while standing near his colors on the banquette, had his right leg shat-
tered by a fragment from a shell which exploded at his feet, while other frag-
ments wounded his right hand severely. He was immediately carried to a bomb-
proof facing the parapet, where he lay, watching and directing his men. The pro-
posed capture of Fort Haskell resulted in a complete failure.
Captain Houghton was removed to a field hospital and his leg was amputated at
the thigh. He recovered and rejoined his regiment at Fort Reno, to be honorably
discharged several months later.
THE GALLANT COLONEL AND HIS BRAVE ADJUTANT
DELE7AII B1.TSB,
Colonel, SOlh U, 8. Colored Troops.
BlgheitrBDknltalDed: Bvt. Brlg-Oen.
Va Sohobarle Co., N. Y., In IBW.
A BOUT two hours after the explosion of the mine, Gen-
■'* eral Edward Ferrero, who had expressed the
opinion that it would be inadvisable to take his division
of colored troops to the Crater, was peremptorily ordered
by General Bumside to lead his division at once into
the "hell's hole." In compliance with this order the
Thirtieth U. S. Colored Infantry immediately advanced,
led by its gallant commander, Colonel Delevan Bates.
The attack is described as follows :
"Under the range of a score of cannon with a per-
fect maelstrom of rebel lead sweeping the area, the col-
ored men went vrithadash against the line of earthworks
filled with the veterans of many battle-fields. Their
bravery was of the highest grade and before the charge
was ended two hundred yards of breastworks, covered
ways and bomb proofs were captured in a hand-to-hand
combat and several hundred prisoners with a stand of colors were sent to the rear
"At this juncture there came orders for another charge on a Confederate batteiy
several hundred yards nearer the city of Petersbutg. Again the Thirtieth, led by
its commander, was under way. Subjected to a galling fire from batteries on
the flanks and from infantry fire in front and partly on the flank, an attempt waa
made to execute the order. Colonel Bates was shot through the head, dangerously,
but not fatally ; Major Leeke was killed ; Captain Seagraves had his leg shattered by a
bullet but, refusing to surrender, killed and wounded six Confederates, and was found
with seven deadly wounds on his person. His men
fought for his body like tigers, but without success,
several of them being found dead by his side. The
color-guards were annihilated, one after another seizing
the flag as their comrades fell dead and, finally broken
up and in disorder, the rest fell back to the line from
whence they started.
"After Colonel Bates was wounded and Major Leeke
killed. Adjutant Andrew Davidson, assisted by the re-
maining company officers, made a most heroic effort to
rally the broken ranks of his regiment from the desper-
ate countercharge of the enemy and was the last officer
to abandon the recaptured position and fall back to the
Union line."
AKDBEW DATIDSOM.
JldJataDt, SOCh V. B. Colored Troopa.
HlgheatTinlcallalacd: CapMn.
Bom In Scotland In IMO.
. n^ "cDc:.::
A'"
;!• ■ lll'-i-'---, i.ni.li
..^tii _• viu.iiiiT,
between the Confederate lines and ours. In a Tery few moments I saw we were
simply being slanghtered without a chance of defense and, seeing a little path
through the Confederate lines of abatis and chevaus-de-frise, I crawled through to
the Confederate breastworks, lay down on the outside and began firing my pistol
alongside of every gun I could reach, as they moved them over to fire at our men.
The momentary sight I got of our fellows, bravely trying to rally, drove me frantic.
Six of my company had followed me through the little path, and turning to them I
said: 'We cannot go back; they will kill us ! If we lie here they will capture us,
and they say they will take no nigger prisoners or white officers with them. Let's
jump in.'
"They replied: 'All right, Cap'n.* I told them to fix bayonets, gave the word,
and in we went.
"It was a surprise. We were stronger just there than they were. The colored
men killed everyone within reach, instantly. This created a panic, and, thinking of
our poor fellows in the field, we turned to the right, the men yelling like fiends and
bayoneting everyone they could reach. We simply cleaned out the breastworks for
the whole length of our regiment, the Confederates evidently mistaking our rush
for a charge by the troop they knew to be in the Crater.
"While rushing down the breastwork, I saw a flag sticking out of a hole behind
the works. Springing on top of the earth around the hole, and, pointing my empty
revolver down, I drove out the color-sergeant and guard of six men, took the flag
and sent it across to our line. This occupied only a moment, after which we con-
tinued driving the enemy out of the works until we came to an angle around the
head of the ravine, the line on the opposite side of the ravine continuing straight
with the line we had cleared out. There it was that the enemy could see how small
our force was, and they at once opened fire on us. From where we were I could see
into Petersburg, there being no other works or men between ourselves and that city.
"While throwing sand-bags across the rifle pit to protect ourselves from fire, 1
was wounded in the arm and went back to the hospital, and on my way back I had
the satisfaction of seeing what was left of our regiment crawling through the abatis
and coming into the rifle pits in safety."
1 ..a
•A ■.'.•TV,
'IMMEDIATELY EVERY GUN WAS TRAINED UPON HIM."
gone far, howerer, before tiie arm snppoitmg the flag was shot awa;, tdmosfc tear-
ing; it £rom ita socket, and the flag went down. He stopped his hoEse, took the reins
in his teeth, picked np the flag and daahed away toward his raiment. Again he
was shot, this time in the leg, hnt pinckily he rode on until he reached his comiades,
wherenpon he turned the flag over to them, and fell nncoDscioos to the ground.
As a reward for his bravery, Gwynne was placed on the mnster-roll of the Thir-
teenth Ohio Cavalry, his master-in to date from the time of his application for
enlistment.
CLEVER STRATEGY FOOLED
THE REBELS
Ih the extreme eastern part of West Virginia lies the
' little town of Moorefield. Here in the evening of
Angnst 6, 1864, the Confederate general, McCauseland,
was resting his division, which was on its way back from
Maryland after the burning of the village of Chambers-
buig, and consisted of McCanseland's Brigade, Gen-
eral Bradley Johnson's Brigade of Cavalry, Gilmor's
Mounted Battalion and the Baltimore Battery — in all,
about 3,200 men.
At dark on the same day General William W. Averell
arrived with about 1,700 men of his division after a weary pursuit of 150 mQes. This
division had been engaged since the spring of the year in long and toilsome expedi-
tions— twice to the Tennessee River and to Lynchburg, participating in many combats
and skirmishes, so that it was in poor condition for active movements, either on the
march or in battle. At the same time it was absolutely essential to a successfol
attack upon the Confederates that they should be surprised and fought with the ut-
most energy. Vigilant scouts guarded the front of Averell's force, preventing any
intelligence of its coming from reaching the enemy, and at the same time ascertain-
ing McCauseland's position.
THOKAIR. nSK,
iptain, Co, C. 14th Pi^nn. Cavaliy.
Bora at CnlFmliii>. IreUnd.
April M, IMl.
General Averell, learning that Genentl McCaiueland was retreating toward Soorelleld, W. T*., ponaed
and overtook bim at Oldfielda, three miles eaat of Moorefield, on the Tth of August, 1804, effecting & com-
plete surprise, routing and dispersing the whole command and capturing 4% prisoners, four guns, large
quantities of small arms and 400 horses and equipments. The Federals lost twenty-eight in billed and
wounded; the enemy'a loss is unknown. After the engagement the enemj retreated by different roads
into the Shenandoah Valli^r, and General Averell returned to Kew Creek with his prisoners and captared
property, from which point he received orders to report to General Sheridan in the Shenandoali Valley,
near Harper's Ferry.
— 897 —
McCauseland's Brigade with Gilmor's Battalion and two guns of the battery
were encamped on the right bank of the Potomac, next to Moorefield, while a mile
away Johnson's Brigade and two guns were encamped on the north side of the
stream. After dark Averell sent 160 men by a mountain road around the east of
Moorefield to blockade the highway and prevent the escape of the enemy toward
Winchester — fifty miles away — to rejoin Early. Accompanied by Captain Thomas
R. Kerr and a few chosen men, Averell proceeded on foot in the darkness, which was
deepened by a fog, and captured the enemy's mounted videttes, from whom was
leaimedthe position of a Confederate picket and fifteen men under Lieutenant Carter.
Captain Kerr with fifteen mounted men made a wide detour, striking a road beyond
ihp picket. While returning toward them he was challenged and, answering
" Relief," he drew near, dismounted and in a minute had the picket disarmed and
under guard. Then General Averell sent Captain Kerr and his detachment to cap-
ture and bring back into the Union line a picket that was expected to arrive soon.
About a mile away the captain was Again challenged and replied : " Picket coming
in." After which he and his party at once surrounded the enemy's picket and com-
pelled its surrender. The oflBcer in charge, however, broke away in an effort to
escape, but Captain Kerr sprang after him and quickly subdued him with his sabre.
Thus the road to Moorefield was clear and not a shot had been fired.
When the head of General Averell's column had reached a point within 500 yards
of , the enemy, it was not yet light enough to see clearly ten yards. Two Confed-
erate troopers sent to recall patrol and pickets met General Averell in the road and
informed him that their brigade was saddled and ready to move. Quickly placing
one column in the road and one in the fields on each side, all following a line de-
ployed in sets of fours. General Averell placed Captain Kerr with his company in
advance of the center column. Only one squadron could be left in the rear to guard
the prisoners. He then gave orders to ride over Johnson's Brigade, using only the
sabre, and to continue steadily on to the river, break through it and capture General
McCauseland himself.
The first part/of the plan was executed, but the one squadron left behind could
not hold" all thj^prisoners taken from Johnson's Brigade, so that a large number of
them escapedljtfetough the cornfields to the hills. There being but one ford at the
river a slight demy ensued, giving the enemy a little time to form on the opposite
side.
Captain Kerr and his company were at once across, however, closely followed by
the other troops. The early morning light was not yet clear enough to distinguish
individuals more than 100 yards distant so that Captain Kerr, challenged by the first
troops he met, pi;omptly answered: "Gilmor's Battalion;" but as that particu-
lar body happened'^to be the challenging party, a hot fire was opened on Kerr's
Company as it charged. A bullet struck Captain Kerr in the face, another wounded
him in the thigh ; his horse was killed and fell on him, but his men went on.
The captain extricated himself from the fallen horse, ran to the color-bearer of
the Eighth Virginia Confederate Regiment, who was striving to get to horse, struck
down the man, took his colors and horse, mounted and rejoined his company through
the fleeing remnants of the enemy.
The sun was just up when all was over ; more than 150 of the enemy were killed
and wounded. Three stands of colors, the battery, nearly 500 officers and men with
nearly 1,000 horses and small arms were captured, and the o^emy were dispersed to
the mountains.
"WELL DONE, TAYLOR"
/^N the morning of August 18, 1864, at
^^ the Weldon Railroad, Private Joseph
Taylor, of Company E, Seventh Rhode Isl-
and Infantry, was detached from his company
on detail as mounted orderly at brigade head-
quarters and ordered to escort Adjutant-Gen*
eral Peleg E. Peckham through some near-by
timber.
" The day was very hot and the country had
been fairly flooded by rains," Private Taylor
narrates. "We were riding quite rapidly and
when we reached the woods I found them so
dense and so filled with underbrush that it
vras with great difficulty I followed the general.
Every now and then the limbs and branches
of the brush pushed aside by my leader would
spring back, striking my horse in the face so that I could not make it keep its gait.
Thus, not being able to keep up with the general, I undertook to skirt the edge
of the wood. In a short while I lost sight of him, but, believing that I would soon
see him again, continued on, as I thought I could hear his horse going.
" Suddenly, to my entire surprise, I ran against a Confederate picket post of three
infantrymen, who appeared to be as greatly surprised as myself. Immediately draw-
ing my revolver, I commanded them to surrender and get out to the rear as quickly
as possible, as a cavalry charge was to be made right over the ground where we were
standing.
"I did not know whether there was any cavalry within ten miles, but the thought
came to me and I simply said it.
at rodoaa^, B. I., f ab. «,
"I EMPTTEDA CHAMBER OF MY REVOLVER INTO MIS SHEAS
the uruali, ^-i;ueiai," I aii>\veie<i. * Whete i~ '.i eiitf i;t
and I rfpuir'i ; " I -lou't know, general ; T lo&c iuMt i
"Jii.-c riieu J^ocToi- lUiiekwouu, ••i '■m* -7iiil, ,-;i
matter witli yuur itriii, Joe .' " ■Xotiiiiii:. r-xi-epr i'
that the 'looil oi r!ie i'ayuuec noiin-i l.iv'i v\u ■■■
'vlii«;ii I "Vit.^ <u[l lio'niiii^, -T-lse rheti '"^ij>-r:ii !.'->!■
'iiiesiiouci i.'v 'ieiienil Curriu .i; to 'Aiivft- i '■Uii ■■■.i\'
■.lit ki
1.1 \v -
[ ..l.,i.lei:lv
li-r'.iiui.*.''
'* 'Teller;
Tavlor,
■■viiiii.^
iil L't-r ;i Me.iiUoi Honoi- f-T :
•The three men bad
stacked anna, which
I ordered them, to
canr, when I felt
a sharp pain, caused
bv a fourth Confed-
erate, whom I had
overlooked, lunging
Ms bayonet; through
-. luy ri^hc arm. I
f / at i>nce emptied
a .hamber oi my
i-evoiver into his
leit l-reast and he
droppetl. Knowing
that my shot would
irive an aiami. I
iiriiered. my three
prisoners forward^
and. revolver '.n
band, at their rear.
I rode i*apidly to-
ward our line.
■•Ai I reached head-
iiiar'tn-s 'virh my cap-
■\\tf>, ■^>-\l^t^Al. Curtiu atked
nith luucii surprise -where I
i-aiinirHd rhese men. ' t-'p in
IVi-kham ." asked the general,
the i'ruih."
le ;p iui-i ,rUed: 'What's the
'»■;.- a '.'.'U^ 'Aartsi.' Then I saw
!y iuuL'i iui'i .■ver my revolver,
iiaiLi -.■■•■ie :;[' lo us and. being
ii'-i 'iie ivl'eis. he siiid : " I do
:,.r ;n.iuvMi!L: '".e. as I supposed.
'■ ■ '■'■■.\---\ .1 ~:>M. to luy left and
-''.■■■■:< ■■!.. :Mr ".ad I'eenhurt.l
-■' -:i.«u. -.iK'i -WeU done
EQUAL TO THE EMERGENCY
I KOLDDBD in the operations against Petersburg was General Grant's effort to cut off
' the line of supplies for the Confederates by destroying the Weldou Railroad.
General Warren, to whom this task was entrusted, was twice fiercely assaulted by
General Lee's array, but succeeded in holding his position and carrying his mission
to complete success. During one of the attacks an incident occurred of which
Private Soloman J. Hottenstein, of Company C, One hundred and seventh Pennsyl-
vania Infantry, became the hero.
The Union corps had, on August 18, 1864, made a descent on the Weldon Rail-
road at Yellow House, driving in the Confederate pickets. When, however, the enemy
appeared in force, the One hundred and seventh Pennsylvania was thrown out and
deployed as skirmishers to meet them. Then the fighting became general and very
intense, and so continued until darkness had set in. Still the Federals held the
road and, under cover of night, threw up breastworks.
At 2 P. M. the following day another attack was
made, with partial success, and again, two hours later,
the enemy made still another attack, flanking General
Crawford's Division, taking many prisoners and com-
pelling the Union forces to retreat. In this series of
alternating charges and countercharges, attacks and
retreats, the two forces became badly intermingled, and
at times the mix-up was so bad that it would have
been a difficult matter to discern the men of the two
hostile armies. At one time, however, a large body ffnvESTEa h. hartim.
^
of Confederates had part of the One hundred and Lieui<.nftni.co.K.88thPfnn.irfai.(ry.
'^ Hlgh«9l rsnk attained : Captain.
seventh Pennsylvania surrounded and virtually cap- BorDinCheBtcrco..pa..Aug.e,iMi.
tured. Still considerable confusion reigned, especially
in the ranks of the Confederates, who at this particular point seemed to lack the
hand of a leader, who could bring order out of the chaos and take advantage of the
predicament of the Union men. On the other hand there was one soldier among
the surrounded Federals who proved to be fully equal to the emei^ency — he was
Private Soloman Hottenstein. He recognized that he was in a locality which he
had passed and became thoroughly familiar with the day before while foraging.
Utilizing this very opportune knowledge, he decided to resort to a ruse, which was as
clever as it was desperate, to extricate himself and his comrades from their pre-
carious position. Espying a Confederate color-bearer, he ran up to him and said :
"Give me that flag!"
The rebel complied.
Then waving the Confederate colors aloft, he shouted : " Come on boys ; follow
me ! " And for the Union lines he headed followed by his comrades and several
— 4y« —
juii'ir»<i ■ ' 'jQi^-'ieniEes. ruo :air:v i^ii over ■^ach '-riier in :hmr eiorr -o :aU :^ro line
iU'i : uo'.v LiiriT ".nc ;>iwii'ier»?"i r -ae ■^renenu. ■'Jiiliiaon- me :iaii u -aot ."i3.ii
■■jitri; :r"iii ■..! I'lv-riutis. . :i='«i '" -;:e .'^r^ ■ uidne^s •<! Prrynze iiorrenstein .= niovf.
■iif. -iii'v:'"i .--iir .11. < ::tr u'l:]? ■■: ^rie r'-^-ierai 'ronn". :-?aiizi2:i :neir ratal iiHitaKfl
■vmfii . ■' :u- " ...'.-r ij'i '.iiwa ■ :n?v '-^iiiid iio nutumir ■ 'it ^'inmic "■"' ''iipmre.
■^VH!i'.i . -■'. ■■■\ : :;:iui-v ■_'">fiiiieurs :i.iiiQU riiemseivp" in '::e -ame '■|^si^OIl LLi ':ie
■>ue ..'■•■i!. .!.'■:; "' li..- .ii'T^ta-ffm a.aa i.-Minniues ''■=<:iiDe<i.
■ V ^ ■ f-i-f., ■ :, .. ......itenmi! -■-;vf-r«>r n. 'laiTin. 'T • ■■inpaii" M. Zli:n.tT--;iriitn.
■jiu: ■ "i:—. -.; i ,." -f ■ ■(i.iiiiuiin.'U iji'jti;; w • ii(."»:-> ■ ■'iri "'iniiieQts. iie •■^^l-
■juti i.L '::- ...:--:■. -'.-\'-!iUi ■■'lii:: ■: umami. .-(-t'le'i ';::i!: 'vf -.luTii-i z-mt <"ir 'ruT
'lit. -iLti.i.Li ■.■■I'v'iiii.'K.-ueii "::i-. v.; /"at-utfti ■■■;r "■*itr ■: \J. ''^a ::-?i'i. 'ir '^'?re
iruiu-r-uai.^! ■" ■■:icrt"i ''■ -■••-HU'.':iUi;tr au'.i :'"ruVHr "ir I'tliurl" ""^irinn.
" i'le ..,;--i..r- 'T'? i:<nv '->iiiiiii: inni "iir n-'iiii:, !IeD vtv ;;unz i;isi : im.ouir
■Hem ■•■i.s ::- ■;a.Liiiiiiit;r ■■? 'ir ■■•■'.iuin^uc. ; ;»fr'-»"i "■■.n'liLrii ".;y ^•■v. "le •■■".t'Uei
::i ';i.iju:uLLiiM . ■::tf ■•■■■ /■ -^i i iiMm.-: ;:eu ■■ iuo-i ' r '.i ■ .tirf: 'ate :i; ii -iiirmisii
iiiie. .iau T-u'i v-ipi . u-i\ ■■' :iiiii vaeruer ■■ ■v-iiuu ■'- -tw ■■: I'lvitii'.-'^ ■ :ie Jiie.
.I'jv-^ii ■.■■i"\iii"'i vLii -i^-ii ■■: ;i " ■ '!iii.'iiuv ■:•: •iirrit'^ti'Tf-. ; ■'■"'imui"t*rf*n ":ie
iHktU'i-ri- ■•L -cat in:i.iuii. ■
"WO ^F ^HEPIDAX'^
rifiifa :.. -it-bAiiii.
■■-*t "'ii-^oiies
Is ■.v:us">>?t:'|)d
i'-tnisvivuuia
. ■'■t\;iLe ;:i
::w ■ 'V'uer
■ ^u iiicii. iie
"iinmr. ;mu
iui. '"he wc-
■•■u-rinau iiijwi
I lie »..>tut:d-
*: :iis 'Atjuuda
— 408 —
task wad entrusted to McCabe, chief scout, Major Henry H. Young with a detachment
of thirty cavalrymen, and Rowand, who acted as guide. After a ride of forty
miles the party — all dressed as Confederates — reached the general's place of abode
at daybreak. Approaching the house cautiously, Rowand went ahead, overpowered
the sentinel and made him prisoner. McCabe and Major Young followed and de-
manded the surrender of the general and his staff. Resistance being out of question
the order was readily complied with, and thus the two daring scouts were able to
report the complete success of their mission to General Sheridan and turn over to
him the Confederate commander.
McCabe was the leading scout in still another important capture — that of Gen-
eral Rufus Barringer.
It was on the morning of April 6, 1865, when McCabe and five companions, all
attired in Confederate uniforms, were riding along on their way to Danville, Va.
Presently they met a group of four Confederates, whom they halted and engaged in
conversation. The Confederates said they belonged to a North Carolina brigade,
and McCabe and his comrades pretended to be men of the Ninth Virginia. They
rode along together till they were joined by a Confederate officer of apparent high
rank. He revealed himself during the course of the conversation as General Bar-
ringer. McCabe drew from the unwary rebels much valuable information, when,
without any previous warning, he presently informed the general and his men of his
identity and demanded their surrender. His determined attitude completely non-
plused the Confederates, who were too greatly surprised to make even a show of
resistance. Only one rebel escaped. For this clever capture of General Barringer
McCabe was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Rowand's other great feat was the delivery of a message from General Sheridan
to General Grant in 1865.
Sheridan had been ordered to pass around to the west of Richmond and effect a
junction with Sherman in North Carolina, but owing to heavy rains and swollen
streams he had been delayed until the Confederates had time to throw a heavy force
in his front and prevent his advance, a fact of which it was important that Grant
should be notified. Rowand and his comrade, James A. Campbell, volunteered to
deliver the message, and shortly thereafter, dressed as Confederates, they each re-
ceived a copy of the message written on tissue paper and tightly rolled in the form
of a small pellet inclosed in tin foil. Their orders were to deliver the message, but
in case of capture to swallow the pellets before giving them up to the enemy.
The journey began on horseback and for forty-eight hours they were in the
saddle, during which time they entered the Confederate lines 'and were within
eight miles of Richmond. They met and conversed with a chief of Confederate
scouts and were within five miles of the James River when some of the scouts of
the enemy recognized them and gave chase. Rowand and Campbell put the spurs
to their horses and reached the river ahead of their pursuers. Here they abandoned
the horses and plunging into the river seized a floating skiff and with their hands
paddled eo rapidly, going diagonally with the cur-
rent, that they reached the opposite shore just as the
enemy reached the south bank. The fugitives were
ordered to halt and shots were sent after them, but it'
only stimnlated Rowand and bis comrade to greater
exertions. And so, with the enemy coming behind,
the two made a run, afoot, of about ten miles, when
they reached the Union lines.
The lieutenant in charge of the picket refused to
accept their statement that they were messengers
from Sheridan and was incllued to treat them as
spies. Finally, however, he consented to take his
prisoners to the Colonel, who at once forwarded them,
under escort, to Grant's headquarters. While sitting
at Grant's desk waiting for the general to appear,
they both fell asleep — the first time in over two days.
Grant coming in, awakened Bowand by tapping him on the shoulder, and after re-
ceiving and reading the dispatches ordered that every attention be paid to the two
young soldiers.
AEOHIBALb H. BOWANS, Jr.,
AN IMPROVISED BODYGUARD
WHEN on the 30th of July, 1864, the Confederate works at Petersburg were con-
verted by the explosion of Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants' mine into the hor-
rible "Crater," Company H, of the Second New York Mounted Rifles, dismounted,
was posted about 100 feet away from the enemy's works and with the crash and
tumult of the explosion they received the order to charge with the remainder of
the brigade across a small rise of ground and take position at the first line of the
Confederate defenses. Second Lieutenant Harlau' J. S^vift, of Company H, a medal
winner in this affair, relates :
"Of course it was hot work, but was in no way a surprise, because our entire line
had been waiting long for just such an experience. We reached the objective point
in short order, to see the enemy going pell-mell toward their second line of defense,
a considerable distance away on the Jerusalem plank road. As we reached the top
of the first line I could see several Confederates not far off, and, calling my company
to halt, I sprinted on after the fugitives. I was very good on my feet and soon
overhauled four of the men who, with guns loaded and bayonets fixed, had given me
such a stubborn chase.
"Placing the muzzle of my revolver against the temple of one of the 'Johnnies'
while still running, I ordered the four to surrender, which they did instantly, fancy-
ing, I suppose, that I had my whole company at my back. Then I formed them on
either side and in front of me— as a protection against possible shots from their
more speedy companions — and so marched them back to our line."
A WOMAN CAPTURED BY CHAMP FURGESON
D"
SE. HAET E. WALKER,
\ocTOB Mabt E. Walker is the only woman up to
the present time who ever received the Medal
of Honor. She was one of the very few women who
at that time held a diploma from a medical college,
and five years prior to the war had a general medical
and surgical practice in Oswego, New York, her native
city. When the war broke out, and with that self-
reliance which is one of her strongest characteristics.
Dr. Walker traveled alone to Washington, and at the
War Department tendered her services as a physician
and surgeon. There was nothing to prohibit such
service and Dr. Walker, young, vigorous, unconven-
tionally masculine in attire and demeanor, was
accordingly appointed assistant surgeon without pay.
After a time she was made assistant surgeon in the
regular army, which carried with it the rank of first
Born«o.w.go.N.Y. lieutenant. She was detailed for duty with Sher-
man's armies and, possessed of a strong constitution,
a stern will and good knowledge of her profession, her services were invaluable on
the march, in the field and in the hospital — particularly in the latter, where her
executive ability proved of great advantage. While the division to which she was
attached was operating around Gordon's Mills in the effort to flank Joseph E.
Johnston's army, an epidemic of sickness prevailed among the people of that vicin-
ity, who had no doctors, all the local physicians being with the Confederate armies.
Accordingly an appeal for medical aid was made to the Union forces, and Dr. Walker
volunteered her services.
The country was overrun with Wheeler's cavalry, while Champ Furgeson's
infamous bushwhackers were a terror to both armies alike. Dr. Walker began mak-
ing her visits to the afflicted people, accompanied by an armed escort of two officers
and two orderlies; the doctor herself carrying revolvers in her holsters. Eventually,
however, and in spite of repeated narrow escapes, she dispensed with her escort and
arms and rode alone to her patients. Champ Furgeson had often declared that he
would kill every "blue-coat" he captured, so the Union men understood that no
quarter would be given by him.
One day in April, 1864, Dr. Walker was riding her horse alone and unarmed, on
her way to see patients at Gordon's Mills. As she turned at a bend in the road, she
suddenly found herself confronted by a group of mounted men wearing nondescript
uniforms of gray, butternut and blue, and was told to surrender. Looking squarely
into the eyes of the man who gave the order, she replied : " Certainly sir, as I am
unarmed ; but will you kindly escort me to the bedside of a dying woman, whom I
am going as a physician to attend?"
The chief captor seemed puzzled by his prisoner's voice and sangfroid, and, after
Bcanning her face and figure closely for an instant, said : " Oh, you're the doctor takin'
care of the folks over yon way. All right, pass on." Retaining her nerve entirely,
Dr. Walker thanked the man and went her way unmolested. Upon her retnm, to
the Union camp she reported the episode to her brother officers and Colonel Dan
McCook suggested that she had been "held up" by Champ Furgeaon. The other
DR MARV WALKER AT WOHK ON THE PIE1_D
officers declared that impossible, because she had lived to tell
the story. Later on in the war Dr. Walker was captuxed and
was held prisoner at Castle Thunder, Richmond, for four mouths. Then she was
exchanged for Dr. Lightfoot of Tennessee. It was not until after all this experience
that she was shown a portrait of Champ Furgeson and at once recognized the
features of the man who had been her captor for a few moments.
r
YEARNED FOR LIBERTY AND
GAINED IT
/'^APTAiN Jambs Madison Deakb, of Company K, Ninth
^-^ New Jersey Infantry, had the honor of being the
first man to unfurl the Union flag on the Confederate
soil, and was the first to enter the enemy's works at
Newbem, North Carolina. He commanded the Union
advance from Bermuda to Point of Rocks, Virginia, May
6, 1864, and at Drewry's Bluff, May 16th, drovethe enemy
within his works. It was at this last engagement that
he was taken prisoner. The story of his escape from
JAMBS XADUON DRAKE, ,. ., , ,.,
c»pt.in,c<..K.«hN.j.int.ntrT. CEptivity roads liko a romance :
Highest ™nk««^n.d^^Bvt-Brig- "I passed a fortuight in Libby Prison," Captain Drake
Born In WMhin^n Valley, N. J., says, "and was transferred to Macon and then to Savan-
nah. I was constantly devising plans for regaining my
liberty, and with other prisoners spent weeks of toil in constructing tunnels for
escape. Though frequently baffled by treachery in promising enterprises for re-
gaining freedom, I never ceased to cherish the hope of escape. The prospect was
gloomy indeed. Confined in fetid strongholds, and surrounded by sleepless sentinels,
the boldest at times were ready to despair. But even the horrors of the Charleston
jail-yard did not discourage me from seeking a favorable means of escape. Our life
in Charleston was not by any means without incident and excitement. Only the
day after our arrival at the jail-yard shells from our batteries on Morris Island
fired a dozen buildings near the jail, entirely destrojring them. Frequently we were
in danger from fragments of exploding shells from the Union batteries on the
harbor islands.
" The Confederacy was now in danger of an overwhelming disaster. Sherman
was prepared to pursue his triumphant march from the mountains to the sea, and
desperate measures were adopted by the Southerners. Among other precautions
taken was the transfer of several hundred Union captive officers to Columbia, where
it was believed they could be securely guarded. The proposed change was hailed as
an excellent opportunity for escape, and four of us, Captain Harry H. Todd, Eighth
New Jersey Volunteers, Captain J. E. Lewis, Eleventh Connecticut Volunteers, Cap-
tain Albert Grant, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, and myself, resolved to take
our lives in our hands and leap from the train.
" The train reached the southern end of the long, rickety bridge over the Con-
gaxee River shortly before dark. During the afternoon I had succeeded in removing
the percussion caps &om the rifies held by the sei^eant and six privates who
guarded onr car, and as the box-car in which we were riding' crossed the bridge
—410—
my three choseo comrades and I leaped from the rapidly moving train. Fortunately
none of ua was injured.
'' The train came to a stop a mile or so away, and men and dogs started after ns.
We sought refuge in a heavy cypress swamp, in order to baffle the bloodhounds
which were on our trail within an hour. We remained in the swamp all through
that dreary, rainy night and next day. At sunset we started on our way, and for
days wandered on through the woods, living on com from the fields, berries and
grapes. We were weak and faint from hunger and exhaustion. Our only solace
was the kindness of some darkies whom we came upon one day working in the
fields, and who provided us with food and shelter in their cabins, treating us as
their friends and benefactors.
" Crossing the Catawba River, we ran across some deserters from the Confederate
Army, men who, impressed or driven into service, had escaped, and now defied the
whole power of the Confederate Government. In Caldwell County we met hundreds
of this class of persons. They were associated with another class called * lyers out,'
who had long lived in caves and other retreats on the mountain, resisting the con-
scription. Although but poorly armed with old Kentucky rifles and squirrel guns,
they managed to keep at bay all forces sent against them.
•* We lived with these men in their caves for several days, and persuaded a hun-
dred or more to accompany us to Knoxville, Tenn., the nearest point to the Union
lines, promising to use our influence in procuring them arms, ammunition^ cloth-
ing, etc.
" We had a narrow escape from guerrillas at Crab Orchard, Tenn., and evaded
them only by making a wide detour to Bull Gap, at the foot of the beautiful Cum-
berland Valley. The rebels, Keith and Palmer, with their bands of irregulars, got
upon our trail on Higgins^ Ridge, and came within an ace of gobbling ua as we were
climbing Big Butt Mountain, from the summit of which we beheld the valley, the
promised land. 'Only fifteen miles from the foot of this hill,' said my friend Bill
Estes, a refugee from North Carolina, * and we shall be safe.' That exclamation
urged me to renewed vigor.
" I had almost given up hope of reaching our lines, my feet being in terrible con-
dition. Suddenly the unmistakable roaring of artillery and musketry in the valley
halted the whole party, and looking toward the gap we saw the smoke rising from
a battle in progre;ss. The fight came to a sudden termination at nightfall, and we
ascertained that Breckenridge had defeated General Gillem at Blue lick Springs,
the Union men being in full retreat upon Knoxville. Just at this moment a moun-
taineer, breathless with excitement, came up, declaring that the guerrillas were hot
on our trail. We lost no time in seeking cover in a ravine between two mountains,
where, we flattered ourselves, there would be comparative safety. Captains Todd
and Grant, with a ruountaineer, went down to a hamlet to obtain rations and to
procure for me a pair of shoes, or some covering for my feet, for I was sulEering
greatly.
" During their absence we were sitrprised by a furious attack of guerrillas. Our
camp was thrown into a state of violent confusion. For a moment my senses were
bewildered, but whizzing bullets and demoniac yells speedily brought me to a real-
izing sense of the situation. In the darkness I could see nothing but the lurid
flashes from the firearms of the guerrillas, who, having at last caught us napping,
were now carrying on their awful work, firing and slashing wildly as they rode in
upon us.
"I started running, eoine-
times falling on the frost-cover-
ed ground, intent only on wid-
ening the distance between my-
self and the enemy, from whom,
if recaptured, I well knew 1
could expect no favors. On 1
went, my movements being of
course greatly accelerated by
the whizzing of bullets over
my head. Faint and al-
most exhausted, and ap-
parently out of im-
mediate danger, I sat
down to extricate a
piece of stick which
had been forced into
the fleshy part of my
heel.
"I sat there con-
templating my condi-
tion and the manifold
dangers which surrounded
me, until daylight. I had
no money, no knito or other
weapon, no blanket, no utensil
in which to cook, nothing to eat,
I did not know in which direction
to turn, and was ignorant of the fate
and whereabouts of my companions.
"I was on the brink of despair when I
heard sounds of an approaching party, and soon I recognized Major Davis, of Kirk's
Third North Carolina Infantry, Captain Lewis and a score of others. Grant and
Todd were missing, neither having been seen or heard from since they departed to
"WE REMAINED IN THE SWAMP--
search for food. I was affectionately greeted, having been given up for dead. We
hastened away, keeping under the shadows of the mountains. We managed to
make between twenty and thirty miles a day, and in less than a week were safe
within the Union lines at Knoiville, about seven weeks after our escape from
Charleston."
CHARGED OVER A BURNING
BRIDGE
I T was late in August, 1864, that General Sherman
^ began a grand wheel of his armies with Schofield'a
force at the pivot, and Howard's Corps on the ont-
side making a radius of twenty -five miles and aiming at
Jonesboro, while General Thomas and his army moved
between the two. The object was to seize both soathem
railways leading out from Atlanta and to destroy all
stations, bridges, culverts, rails and ties, thus forcing
LLBWELLTH o. BflTBH. Hood out of Atlanta. Preceded by Eilpatrick, who
HtghmH" t «.iinti?w"S«i. -"-as handling the irrepressible annoyance from Wheel-
Bora.toidtown.^.i^fleo(Co..Me., gj.jg Cavalry, General Howard was moving with reas<m-
able speed, and on the 30th of August his forces had
been fighting all day as they advanced. At the same time Kilpatrick's Cavalry had
also been kept bnsy.
At the request of General Kilpatrick his chief of staff and adjutant-general, Cap-
tain Llewellyn G. Estes.had taken command of the advance brigade of cavalry with
instructions to keep well up with the skirmish line of the infantry and to protect
their right flank. At about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 30th they had
reached a point about four miles from Flint River, where General Howard had been
ordered to camp for the night. Captain Estes halted his cavalry brigade and was
waiting for the movement of the infantry on his left when one of General Howard's
aides appeared and said that the general wished to see him. Accordingly the cap*
tain rode over and met General Howard, who remarked : " Estes, 1 am directed by
General Sherman to halt my army here for the night. There is no water here for
my troops, the enemy is harassing me all the time and I want to know if yon can
drive them across the Flint River." Captain Estes repUed that he could do it and
the general said : ''Try it."
Thereupon Captain Estes rode rapidly back to the head of his command and with
the Ninety-Sixth Illinois Cavalry charged the barricade of the enemy, rode over
and through them before they had time to form again and pushed on to Flint Kiver
at a gallop. So snrprised were the Confederates that they simply scattered in every
direction, some six or eight of their companies racing along in front of the Federals
down to and across the river. Within an hour from the talk with General Howard
Captain Estes had forced the enemy across the river, and, General Howard following
immediately behind Estes, came up and complimented him very highly for the
work performed.
■'ESTES, ARMED
WITH A REVOLVER. WENT
AHEAD WITH A RUSH."
Then Captain Estes asked : " Do you
want me to take the bridge?" The gen-
I responded: "Can you do it?" And
when the young cavalry leader said "Yes"
the general replied : " All right, go ahead."
Estes hurriedly dismounted the Ninety-
second Illinois and the Tenth Ohio, which General
Kilpatrick had promptly sent forward at his request, and moved down the bank of
the river, where these two regiments, armed with Spencer carbines, kept up such a
constant fire on the enemy's barricades on the opposite side of the river that Estes
was enabled with two companies of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry to charge across the
tnidge on the stringers, the planking having been removed by the enemy, and drive
the Confederates back. At tlie time of this charge the bridge was bnnting in
several places, but Estes, armed with a revolver, went ahead with a rush, brim-
ful of confidence in the men at his back, as they were enthused by the valor and
dash of their leader. After driving the foe from the river Estes and his men re-
placed the planking, thus enabling Howard's Army to cross. It was a trininph
belonging jointly to the commander and his men, and probably the most pleased
man in the whole of Sherman's Army that evening ^as General 0. 0. Howard, to '
realize that so much had been accomplished in so short a time with a loss of but
six men ; four killed and two wounded.
The Union force was then within one mile of Jonesboro, through which the rail-
road passed on the line between Atlanta and Macon. It was a position with abun-
dant water at hand and one which the general had not expected to reach except by
virtue of a great battle involving an entire corps and at a great loss of life. In re-
ferring to Captain Estes' deed General Howard gave official expression in the follow-
ing:
"* * * All the circumstances surronnding tnis action made it striking and im-
pressive ; the necessity of securing water for my army and a lodgment on the east-
em bank, the burning bridge and the barricades of the enemy, the charge across the
burning timbers and the relief given by its success, not only impressed me but
all others present at the time. * * * The action was phenomenal ; and the prompti-
tnde and gallantry of General Estes and his men under a very sharp fire were
nnsurpassed."
Captain Estes at the time of the above achievement was only twenty-one years
old. One month after the Flint River engagement he was promoted major, a few
months later lieutenant-colonel, and on September 30th, nine months after his
twenty-first birthday, he received his commission as brigadier-general of Tolnnteers.
HEROIC AND HUMANE
aBoaaB h. matkabd,
Prtvnte. Oo. D.. IStb M>S8>-
chusetta Infanlr;.
Hlgbeat nnk atUlned :
Bvl-Major.
Bom la Waltham, Uua,. Feb.
P BIT ATE Gbobgs H. Matnabd, of Company D, Thirteenth
Massachusetts Yolonteers, distinguished himself through
exceptional courage in several of the great battles.
At the attack on Antietam, September 17, 1862, Maynard
and one of his comrades remained at the front skirmishing
after their regiment had been withdrawn. He assisted two
of his comrades who were wounded, off the field, and when
fresh troops were pushed on to the attack he attached him-
self repeatedly until at the end of the day he had served
with no less than six regiments.
Three months later his regiment participated In the change
at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, and suffered heavy loss.
Maynard, who was in the skirmish line, went to the assist-
ance of his wounded comrades and did not leave them till he
had them in a place of safety. After his regiment had been
removed to another position he learned that one of his friends had been left
wounded on the field. Regardless of the great danger he ran, he returned to the
spot under a heavy fire, found the wounded man, and carried him safely to the rear.
One of the most interesting incidents, however, in his military career occurred in
the month of September, 1864. A mounted expedition under command of General
Asboth and composed of detachments from several regiments, six hundred strong,
left Pensacola, Fla., to capture or destroy the Confederate military stores at Mari-
anna, Fla., a distance of 300 miles. After five days of rapid marches the destination
was reached, but the enemy, having been advised of the approach of the detach-
ment, was found to be prepared to offer a stout resistance.
The main road entering Marianna was narrow, with houses on both sides of
the street. About 300 yards from where the detachment halted a barricade of
wagons and carts of all descriptions was thrown across the street.
Maynard had been promoted after the battle of Fredericksburg and assigned to
duty in Florida and Louisiana and held the rank of Captain in the Eighty-second
U. 8. Volunteer at the time, and was acting provost-marshal of that expedition.
He and Captain Toung, of the Seventh Vermont Infantry, acting assistant adjutant-
general, were at the head and to one side of the column. Presently General Asboth
gave orders to charge and two companies of cavalry advanced about two-thirds of
the way to the barricade, when the rebels opened fire and drove the charging
Federals back in disorder.
General Asboth was greatly disappointed and cried "For shame! For shame!"
as the retreating cavalry rushed past. The men, however, soon re-formed and an-
other charge was ordered.
** This charge," says Maynard, " was led by the general. Captain Young and myselL
I
CAPTAiN MAYNARD PREVENTING A GENERAL MASCACREL
"As onr horses leaped the barricade, all three bunched together, the enemy fired,
wounding General Asboth in the face and arm, and instantly killing Captain Toung.
I drew rein, faced a blacksmith shop full of Confederate soldiers, and fired, shooting
their major through the shoulder. Our cavalry was detained by the barricade, and
General Asboth's horse ran away when he was shot, so, for the time being, I was
alone. When the cavalry came up I quickly directed as to the whereabouts of the
general, and the location of the enemy. As soon as Colonel Zulavsky of the Eighty-
Becond U. S. Volunteers had dismounted some of his men and they were apprised of
the situation an active firing began.
"The enemy were posted behind houses on one side of the street, and behind the
sheltering stones of a burial ground on the other, in the blacksmith shop, and in
the church. Theirs seemed an impregnable position, but after an engagement of
three-quarters of an hour they made overtures to surrender. No sooner had the
Union troops ceased firing than they immediately reopened fire, killing one of our
boys, which infuriated us.
" Shortly after, the rebels surrendered a second time, but our troops were so en-
raged at the previous treachery that they began an indiscriminate attack upon the
Confederates as they were being captured.
"I at once dismounted and rushed into the graveyard, just in time to knock away
a musket placed at the head of a prisoner, and threatened to blow out the brains of
the first man who dared to shoot a prisoner. This course prevented a general mas-
sacre of our captured foes, numbering 108."
SEIZED HIS OPPORTUNITY
• ■* *
**/~\K the morning of September 13, 1864," says
^^ Corporal Isaac Gause, of Company E, Second
Ohio Cavalry, " I was sent forward with seven men
to reconnoiter the enemy's position on the north
side of the creek near Berryville, Va. After we
had crossed the creek we captured the Confederate
outposts, from whom we learned that the troops in
camp were the Eighth South Carolina. Sending
our prisoners to the rear in chaise of two men, I
rode rapidly, expecting my five remaining comrades
would follow me around the woods which were
at the top of the ridge half a mile beyond the
(areek. Presently I discovered that I was alone, my
comrades having left the pike, going to the left
around the south side of the woods. I also saw that
oar main force under General Mcintosh had followed them and had attacked the
enemy, who were on a hill to the west Jost at this time I reached the slope on
IBAAO OAITBB,
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QABEIBL OOLS,
IIPHOMBO H. LUMT,
Color- Sprgesnt. Co. F.awh Masa. Infan
HlKbPst rank RtCalned: CapUln.
Born at Berwick, Uc, I83T.
way beyond the desig-
nated place and brought
them into uncomfortable
proximity with a much
superior rebel force.
Because of the long,
rapid advance over
ploughed fields, fences,
and rough broken coun-
try generally, the Union
line was in no condition
to face such an assault and
began to waver. At this
Sergeant Lunt, who car-
ried his colors aloft thus
far through the fight, see-
ing that a rally must be made, waved the flag and with a yell rushed ahead about
200 yards in advance of the line and shouted: "Dress on the colors!" Inspired
by his bravery, the men of Company F at once responded, to be followed immedi-
ately by others, until about 100 men were supporting him, and there they stood
facing a Confederate line of battle until the overwhelming numbers of the enemy
forced them to retreat. No less than twenty-two bullet holes were counted in the
folds of the flag which Sergeant Lunt had defended so bravely.
Corporal Cole was at another point of the battlefield participating in those fierce
cavalry charges led by General Custer, which to a large extent decided the battle in
favor of the Union cause. During the last great charge, which culminated in a
desperate hand-to-hand fight between the opposing foes, Corporal Cole, who was in
the thickest of the fray, espied a Confederate color-bearer. He dashed up to him,
swung his sabre over the rebel's head and woald have killed him with one blow had
the man not ducked in time and dropped the flag. Corporal Cole seized the colors,
but just at that instant his horse was shot in the shoulder and leg and fell. While
trying to help the poor animal the brave corporal was himself wounded in the left
leg. Still carrying the flag he limped along till a Union officer came to his assist-
ance. It was not long before Corporal Cole took possession of a riderless horse and,
mounting it, rejoined his regiment and stayed in the fight till the battle was ended.
ANOTHKR episode from the battle of Winchester. The rebels, in full retreat be-
fore a furious cavalry attack, were being closely followed by the Federals.
During this charge Andrew J. Lorish, Commissary Sergeant of the First New
York Dragoons, made a dash for the colors of a Confederate regiment. He was at
his side just as the color'r<eai?r. struck by a shot
from his own raiit>. stninbled and felL Heedless
of the Confedetaie coior-gnani of some six or seven
V 1^1 ^^g ^^ J^ yj men. the hold drajfoon grabr^d the standard and
O^A ^r^*^i^^lE )^ whirled his horse around to rejoin his comiadea.
^^ ^H ^ ^^^KwZr xt this the wonndel •^oior-t-ear^r raised himself on
his elbow and yelled: ~ Boy:, shoot that damned
Yankee ! He's zot our tlag ! He's got onr flag !
Shoot him 1 "
Already several of the color-gnard were raising
their moskets to tire, bat Sergeant Lorish. was
equal to the emergency.
"Qnick as a flash." sars he. "with my arm up-
lifre'l. I wheele*! my horse around and. dashing
directly at the live men. commanded : * E>rop thoee
gnns or I'll '^nd ev»;ry one of yon to hell I' As they droppe«i their guns I a^ain
wheeled and putting =i>iirs to my horse dashed down the hill, to hear, when I wae
fifteen or twenry nxis away, the ball<fts singing thick and fa^t aliove my bead. But
I e^-n^l wirh the flag and was anhurt, to be greeted with cheers from my com-
twle^ as I joine-i them.
" Tlie mark of a Minie ball on the visor of my cap furnished proof of the perilona-
nefLH of the ■■ituatjon I had encountered.*'
SWIMMING UNDER HEAVY FIRE
•JtBSi
THE Tnion ■roldier* aceomplishe<i a brilliant achievement
at lliivou .Vlabaina. La. Geneml Granner was pur-
auinjr a body of Confederates under General Taylor and
on H*rpterni(er "24, 1S64, had forced the enemy to offer
battle or Hiirren<ier. The two forces were separated only
by the river, which was not more than fifty yards wide.
General Granjier-i cavalrymen dismounted and began to
fight at V)t} feet ran;.'e. The struggle was indecisive and ^^^j^i
could only be Itroiight to a successful close by au attack on Bom
the otber -ide of the stream. How to cross the river, how-
ever, was a difficult problem just theo. heavy autumn rains having swollen it and
created a nipi'l current. A large flat-bottom scow was lying close in shore on the
Confederate aide.
D Xanllcoke SBrlnn, N. T..
A call was made for volunteers to swim the river and secure the scow. Lieu-
tenant Westinghouse and Sergeant Luman L. Cadwell, of Company B, Second New
Tork Cavalry, volunteered. They started on a run for the river, plunged in
and swam directly to the enemy's line. It was an extremely dangerous undertak-
ing, the rebels pouring a shower of bullets at them, while balls from their own com-
rades were flying over their heads to the other side. However, miraculous as it
may seem, the two brave swimmers reached the object of their heroic effort un-
hxat. After untying the scow and reaching deep water, they kept on the side more
"THEY KEPT ON THE SIDE REMOTE FROM THE HOSTILE SHORE."
remote from the hostile shore and shoved the boat successfully to the other side of
the river.
" Bullets whistled about ns like hail, hitting the boat and pattering in the water
all around," Sergeant Cadwell says, in recalling the occurrence. Again, however,
he and the lieutenant remained uninjured and thus were able to furnish the much
desired means by which soon afterward the Union forces crossed the river.
Lieutenant Westinghouse was killed a few months later, whUe Sergeant Cadwell
lived to receive the precious medal for the heroic feat.
"Ucm OO J^C^ THE TJ'v5.
■tut j*f-'*y.i*^ *.vjfiiift ir S»?f*«Bjn *^'r!:>»r*r 1 £lfMH* <r
j^v'-ir^ ■■^.•. iiC 'irt --r»a«rr vet w^t ii\r -,* Wfir^^Kt Bnft-
•i#«: '/ I'-jt ^".ufc■J'.'•- Vyt^^'zl* v.- 'jjt ^.tr: '.^ ii.* ^m.-
}* .i • 1^ <r.'.</ji. -,ii»;'. . y.i i-_M5r V. •:>»* r»-»tC -.c»fltfr»".r£:* :
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t/*/: '*r,/; ».•»■.- '*."v;r *-f_* v>p >>sz Of, t?.^ ■worxj -.eiiz:3 Tri'i ■:!■£■ re:«els were
if/ft;..!.'/ " ,-..';/ t'i-.:*: '^t.'.f.-*r:r.*Cx.H:. strA f «L Tirir iriZieTT arteiLC'ed to keep np
**,'/, '-•-':". 4,'.-; ;f*^. v.%,v. -,-,*. I *Lfy*. or,»r of the I*ad i:cr5*e* cf thr frr r;€ce and thns
K.i/.t>*'. '■•-'•. t-Kn',-*' :'fi!A. 7"'-<^ *:o:.'z-\ozi "srLlch, foIJO"""*:-! ziade it lather eaay for us
initif^t HM, t*. - i".XUiwmr, «V** 'ii<oii tJ.*: ilif^*: of Earlj »; WbLtfh*^;*? f»=:* hu alnwn oner
; .. •/•. .'. i II.' r* ii ... Vk , '/.-. •„■.•: '^A-fi 'if h^.-.T^rr.f^r. :^<U. si-rldi^ i^lliTi^ a most sipoal Tictorr
t y..' / .-,<;. I i..»'-i:, *iA *ui j.r'^y'-.iit^ tr',Ki u,'ji.'.j distnijiz.x the e=e=:j'e army only bjdsifciteM-
^A> / n :< ;.'A'": .r. »i. ki.'.'.'i*'. .ii,\irt-gu»\i\': ^Aili'iti oa the Nonh Fork of the Sbenandoali »iw| ex*
A.I SI *i I"' ■■■■ :'.rxn..rii: 'I'si.i-J. AfU;f « ;(r';at d*ra! of inai.r-jeuvre:ng duKog ite day thr left of ths
...^■« . . - n« f ./J- .t.y n'Mi/i'^ itrA drivif. from their worts. In the meantime the Sixth and Kinfr<
(,*/. /.'..) '.',/;-■ a>,'.n/:l("I tl.'! f^tn;! 1r'i!,t,inA tl.T wh',l<: r-^Vjel army w&a fon^ed back in mter eonfiuioa,
#• ■!— .jr >'. ■'.' :'<>v"r (,^ii«-a iit itia fU'ic I'Mu-. , cl'^^ly pursued aa far aa Staouion by Sfaeridu), who then
..«.<'! I:-: ".:■/ (y*.i,i-,., mCi.|ar(;r.:.:l(. Va.
f ' • ' -.'.f"]' riii/a I'aL ntvi'it Mti in k.!l<-'l ari4 vound>:d, and 1,100 men Ukea pritooeni, while th«
,.... I'l'- 1 <" ri: Ktx.iit iV/J lu killed %iA wr/uiuled.
THE BONDS OF COMEUDESHIP
TUXIAH a. HILLS,
AN illustration of true soldierly comradeship is pre-
sented in the story of Private William G. Hills, of
Company E, Ninth New York Cavalry, who saved the
life of Sergeant Joel H. Lyman, of Company B, of
the same regiment. How it was done the latter de-
scrihes in these brief hut pointed words :
"During our campaign in the Shenandoah Valley
we reached Harrishui^, Ya., on September 25, 1864,
and on the day following we met the enemy's cavalry
and drove them to the NorUi Fork of the Shenandoah.
When we arrived at the brow of the hill overlooking
the river, which was quite narrow and fordable, we
could see Early's Infantry drawn up in line on the
opposite side. Supposing that our object was to capture the enemy's train, I gal-
loped down the slope, but had not gone twenty rods when I was knocked from my
horse by a musket ball from the rebel rifle pits, which were hidden from my view
by the willow trees bordering the opposite bank.
"The regiment had been ordered back and I found myself alone and helpless, the
enemy's bullets ploughing up the ground and throwing dirt all over me. Seeing my
dangerous position, William Hills drove the spurs into his horse and galloped to the
spot where I lay. Then coolly dismounting he lifted me to my saddle, mounted his
own horse and suppori»d me from the field, amid a veritable hail of bullets. It
seemed as if the whole rebel army had concentrated its fire upon us.
" For genuine pluck and comradeship I never in my three years of active service
saw anything to compare with this deed."
A SINGLE-HANDED CHARGE
T"'hb following account of a single-handed cavalry charge is graphically told by
^ Captain George N. Bliss, Company C, First Ehode Island Cavalry :
"About three o'clock in the afternoon of September 28, 1864, 1 received an order
from Major Farrington to ride to Waynesborough, Va., and give orders to the provost
guards to prevent soldiers from entering the houses, as the entire cavalry force was
about to pass through the town to water their horses in the Shenandoah.
"It was a perfect day of early autumn. I rode into the town, gave my orders,
and was about to return when my attention was attracted by the efforts of a
Termont cavalry regiment to destroy the railroad bridge ; the woodwork bad been
burned, and one span of the iron work had fallen. While watching this proceeding
I heard shots in the distance across the river, and looking in that direction saw the
enemy about a mile away, driving in our pickets ; but when the reserve
was reached a charge of our men sent the rebels back a^in. At first
I thought it was only a trifling picket line skirmish, but soon the
reserve was hurled back, and I saw that it was an attack
in force.
"I at once rode to Captain Willis C. Capron, of the
First Rhode Island Cavalry, who had command of
about a dozen men as provost guard in the little vil-
lage, and ordered him to form his men in line across
the main street and allow none but wounded men to
pass to the rear. This was promptly done, and I was
about to return to my squadron when Captain Capron
said to me :
" ' I wish you would take command here ; you
know I have never been in a fight ! '
" At first I refused, but the men looked at me as
though they really desired it, and I said to Captain
Capron :
" ' Very well, take your place in the rear of the
line as junior captain,' and, drawing my sabre, I took
my place in front.
" Our picket line was on the opposite side of the
river fighting stoutly, but the force of the enemy was
too strong for them and the firing was rapidly approaching us, when, having rallied
about thirty men, it occurred to me that a charge across the river by ns, accom-
panied by vigorous cheering, might produce the impression on our men and upon
the enemy that re-enforcements had arrived, check the advance, and give our main
body more time to form tor action.
" It was accordingly done, and with the effect that I had anticipated. I had
nearly reached the front when a major rode up to me and said : 'Colonel Lowell
wishes you to take your command to the ford of the river and stop all stragglers.'
"The order was promptly obeyed, and I u'us in time to stop about one bundred
and fifty men. There were some lieuteuants with them, who under my orders bad
just about succeeded in getting their men into line when a rebel battery commenced
Wafnetdwron^— On thu 'J7th of S«ptembpr. 1*)&4. Gi^neral Torben moved his cmnmand to Wayne*.
borough, Vii.. atiJ on Chu folliiwins muniing jir.H.-i'fdiil to dfstniy thu ruilroad bridire acroBS the South Fort
of thu :;li(>nLind<iah KiviT and biinit^d the d-;-)t and ;TOVoruiiii.Mit buildings. I.iiti.; in the afternoon the
eneaiy. under Gtnenil Eiirly. iitiufki'd the Utijuii eiivalry in •itmiie fun-o with iiifuntrj, caraliy and anil-
lery. They wen? held in fheek until after darit. wKi'ci Cft'tienil Ti>rbert, Ii^arniDg that the enemj wen
attemptiiig tg cut him off fruin the main army, fell buuk to Spring UiU witliout delivering b-— ■-
dropping shells among them, and away they went, sweeping my small force bodily
across the river. In the town I again got some of my men together and endeavored
to baild a barricade across the main street. It was about half done when I saw
that it could not be completed in time to be of any service, and we again fell back
antil we came to the Third New Jersey Cavalry, drawn up in column of squadrons
in the western suburb of the town. Looking again towards the enemy I saw Colonel
Charles Russell Lowell, who had been in command of the picket line, riding toward
"A BULLET INTENDED FOR ME, STRUCK MY MOUNT."
US with his horse on a walk, the last man to fall back before the advance of the
enemy. The Confederate bullets were whistling about him, and frequent puffs of
dust in the road showed where they struck right and left of this brave soldier.
Putting spurs to my horse I rode forward and had the following conversation with
him:
'"Colonel Lowell, I had but a few of the provost guards, and did what I could
with them to help you.'
" ' Well Captain, we must check their advance with a sabre charge. Isn't that
the best we can do ! '
" ' I think so, Colonel.*
--KM—
• By -jii:? riaie we had Tome up to rhe Third Sew Jersey < *avalry. knoxm in "rhe
iiT'iiv is ":ie * Diurprriies?. " Mi; acr«jiinc of ^heir :ray uniforms, and •Vtii^aei ^uweii
-a-i'l "o 'n»r ' riirer lu •••■luiiiauii : 'Major, let your tirst -«iiiadrou siini? 'heir «*arr)iiLe5.
" Tht: ' raer '\aa j:iv»^u. i:«>nvy.rd,' -'Ut not a man moved. Tliey 'vere <"oiiipieTeiy
iiaiifriii"'eii*r'i v MiK :ii'j[ -hj^q 'he '>riier rrooos driven •►ark.
■ [^[i^ ■:i\j''itLLi .11 .-r'HiinLLiid nt 'he -Muadron ^aiii: '^'orporai ..rones, ;ire "<">a
iinii'i .' ILL-; *Li»? •'«.'L'^<.'rai -nade no ret'iy.
•rile "i^rii vav-ML-Hti. iud *.'oionei Lowell said: ''rive a ••heer ■•oys. and ^"O nZ
'hem. la-i '.;;urr'rd \i.- :ioi>« at a .railop toward 'he '.^nemv. :oLlowe«i '-v inr-seii.
.'OLa '.'E :.- va."'. :::^ "iLr -u,»»rej?. The -<iuadron at once -'heered and r'oLluwpd. .Vfrer
^'oia;^ .L -ii'MT i:.-rau«:e. ^'oi«»nei Loweil -irew out 'o -me <ide. 'o ^e /eadv ^o -end
'jcner 'r'-fp*? ro ":ie -:i[.»port nt the -<iuadron. and I 'vad left ro lead rue ^-har^e. I ^vas
.ixoiiL:'».-«i li -L l.ir'-ce. -rnjU!^ virrei hor<e, j.nd ^aa -oon 1<H) yards in advance *»f "he
-4Uadr«'H. i^rai.-iiiu;^: '^h^ p;uT'Lvrou.'?rru(:Ted l.)arrirade, I puile<i ^ip my iionf?e. Loi>kLn2
acK', ' ''L.v ':r. ae^u'-ommi^on^irh a -pieudidsouadron front: lookini; forwarri. I -aw
'ae^tiie^iu V ::! '-'n imii.'^ of rours. ^nrniu^ »"o retreat. The :rround ^va.s 'iown hill *:o^var»is
'at: rrLi^rtu- : '. .md .;»rver -een a i.ierter "ppDrruniry :'or a -ai/re «'hanre, aud ;ia ^he
"i*i'iaai-M!i i^itfe'i ::i*?. ' -houted : ' ' onie '-n "oys. rhev :ire !•unninL^' md jumpinir my
.jjc^^ «' «n* ~:ir j»vv > amrade. dashed in iimong rhe renei.^, <»niv ro pind my<«^ii inakine
"ae iiL^a*!-: -vu;iirr-«iauiied.
• I :.:i«i .'I'ltiL-ii pact It 'iozeu ••[ 'he *-nemv ••^fore I -ii^r^rovtn'f^d '.nv *iejrperate -itu-
iciou. "*:»-v vvfH j"-rreMCHii: ia ."o.^h I'oininn "U four-^, and :is I mde :u amuuir 'hem
'afri'^r '"»-L'h- '::r^-«^ ni^^ «.'ii r.iy ieit aau'.i iLod "iitr "U ;!iy rii^ht. I :'♦."> 'hat iearii Tvaa
^n":iiii. wal* :i .:ir!itaia:i I'la^n i.iv vmiie ..fr* -neint^d 'o pai?> in lm^vit-w ^'erore lue.
J ii ';i»' ":iniii^tir. ^u'l 'iii> ;- rhe «.'aa. ' liere 'vai? i^nr i/iie «'aanre. i- iirv
■■ •
: t I
;i."iju' ^::'.*iii lU'.i r'-'nivt- ::iv -rp|)>^ \va?5 iiiipo.s^^il'it-, -lii: lav hoi>e 'va^
i'L :Li\::::i .1 ^■ir'•t^- luui;; .*'r-i»M "'iL' :.!!•—. .-> i. "••ie I ivept my sa'ore
'A 11 r-iii:'-:'. -=:"■:* .i.- "• ■. :«'\\- ."::^'n' ::.;m . -U. "'\n..i * '!f.' ^-u^*>ll*■ =-^«*apf<i ''V <iiiirkiv
■w<.ii;'i!"j: ■.••.:" "iM.-. 'ir : -:H''-H«-»h;'L : '. < »ii ;;i; ■ ::l: " ■ mr ■ -i ■■:■•!;•- • .ipiaui William
•. '!'■--. ■ :,:; " : ;• ii. : . ' < 'li. ■ ••« -r-- 'f-iw-?* ■ -i ' iv^ '■•-u'Mi ■:;-Lf'!;:a .iviilry. and "wo
■ '." !!•-• -.:;»• -■!••'»-. "vM'.i^^M ■;i-'"i ! 1" ""i-". A trr* iM [i u .' \ iiead '"io.se to luv
';L"-«- • .i^T'.'K : ':i».*!i :'«M':i; ::"""i-::: :■" ::i"«''- '>-^ ■.! -[V ;i:: i:::'i '/►^ached "^tie side
■ i'*r*-'*
:^ -Ul' — i- ..«'i'^»-:i:Li:..
' i i.
'or '•-'.
^ ■ . « ^_
' ■ I
I ' -
• «.
■ t— •• . '!«■■%
■u'^tu iiiii ••a,
jjCrooiiu.
..>etore i ■;•' ii .
1 •
.*•-.;]
: 'I >
L. ' . :ou'Mtie5i;fij iuteuded
^ ; ii I'HHi and i^pur I
: i*:- ivia^ »ipou rhe
• - - y aie and leuuintt
over in their saddles struck at me, one with a carbine, the other with a sabre. I
could parry but one, and with my sabre stopped the crushing blow from the carbine
at the same instant that the sabre gave me a cut across the forehead. I at once
rose to my feet and shouted to the soldier who had wounded me : * For God's sake
do not kill a prisoner !'
" ' Surrender, then,' he said.
'"I do surrender,' I replied, whereupon he demanded my sword and pistol, which
I gave to him, and had scarcely done so when I was struck in the back with such
force as to thrust me two steps forward. Upon taming to discover the cause of this
assault, I found that a soldier had ridden up on the trot and stabbed me with his
sabre, which would have passed entirely through my body but for the fact that in
his ignorance of the proper use of the weapon he had failed to make the half*tum of
the wrist necessary to give the sabre smooth entrance between the ribs. I also
saw at this moment another soldier taking aim at me with a revolver.
"My chances seemed gone, but a sudden impulse took possession of me and
I called for help and protection as a Free Mason. Captain Henry C. Lee, the
acting adjutant-general of the enemy's force, heard my cry and at once came to
my assistance, ordering a soldier to take me to the rear and see that my wounds
were dressed. The soldier in whose charge I was despoiled me of my watch and
pocket-book, and with some assistance, being weak from loss of blood, I mounted
behind my guard, and later in the evening I was put into an ambulance with Cap-
tain William A. Moss, at that time a lieutenant, and driven several miles to a small
house in the mountains. I found Captain Moss to be a brother Mason and he did
everjrthing possible for my comfort, although he had received a severe sabre cut
from me."
UNDER A MUSCADINE GRAPE-
VINE
THBEE millioiis of rations, vast quantities of ammu-
nition, guns and all other supplies of warfare
stored at Allatoona, Ga., were the tempting objects of
a bold and unexpected movement of General Hood,
the Confederate Commander. Once in possession of
the fort, with its costly stores, he would have robbed
the Union Army of its base of supplies and forced it jobeph b kess
to retreat. He would have frustrated Sherman's
march to the sea and But all this is mere specu-
lation. Hood did not capture the coveted treasure ; the Union Army did not lose
ita base of supplies ; it did not retreat, and Sherman's march became a historical fact.
V :>• ij:*.: I'lJ. •iTi..?ii^: v-^ii*-rt- r'jj*!nL4J- t-t-i *j:i* .liiniitTirii
> i.-^-- V •.•:; ;a.i • J. T'l-ri^^^-i-;;! ij'*i.:irtj. Iuilji"!!^ >: ~Lli;i:!j
/<.\ • .•••"•. ' :•; V. .r-'. :,'.r:. 'zirzr ~-T JLi: •... ^ii: :':r ::lTr "rsir* lo get cmk
'/ v.- » i '/.• *-« -. ->.- ':-^.M.:.^' '.I ^Ir ■'. -•-•iir TTioV ■;:•: ::iT, T:pi>n wludi
v.^ -^ » < • i .'.-;•' "-*.'- V* 'r,z ^::ir- T :. .-., rr: •^rTrril ;.r.s:LT> "^er^ allowed to gpk
v. '/ •■ '>.-• >,'.: '"-i:.: .'-rji-' •f-r: ■:;•'..'' '.■•.:L'>:r--:i^- -^ri-.L :ir ::- ""i: Li: had been at-
v.;^/-//: ■ : •:; '. . '. _• >^rr.\}i,. I v.^v.j.r^: ::.7 :: Trr'n:". •?iirelr^.^> Irh the cmr and
V/.' :fr • • • ^•'.•: '.'.--': ■>rv;e >. A r'<i.-:ji^ 1> k si'. Tie r"-iriT in :iir ioonraT showed
:: '-, 4- ■">.•. :'.';.':'.*. •:.-i^. T.^y v/^rr*: I*-.*:: ^y^^z^^ ::--:ir. '!:'i:;krr than a flash I
-: •',; ;/ ', >. ' -: ':'A;^':'': ..'.-:^' •:.*: rr^.r. ai'^: for.::r.a:'r'-7 '::^i:? -•:"- •: '.>-rrred. IVhQe jet
' '-i i ' / <'."/- V/ \'.i: '-*:.«:.' ->:«:, •..'.e o-'er rrack. I heari :hr g::ari oidering all to
>;-.• '/</ *- .' • '.•: I ;. .• r-. ;. ;.«r^'i oj: the o:Ler side o: thr triin and looked to the
t,y'\ < • ', .'•• .*' ';.'/>: .^'.:jir'% : r.0 one co'jM j^ee me. I Then crawled nnder the
\'< • '/ /,/ ':;.'• '/.'. *.'.*: ^ .v.'ie •r<iok ar--]. fining the other side, rolled down the
c... ..r^ - . .. c:'/. .r.v, *':.ti o.vr.
; './■:':.•.'.> V.;: . ;ii^.^;' v\!>'i>/.^ jr:vl I reached a culvert, i!i:o the darkest part of
/.r..^:. .' ' '..i;';/;! .'.'.{/*.'.;/;.'. av. .* ^.'.^rfoor of water. My loneliness was soon relieved by
♦.}j<; ;j.rr i > ;i; 0.* ':;;/h^ ot.h<;r-: v. ho had raken the same means of escape. We kept hiding
iii'.r*: till fiiiT/.fi<:it> hrok^j in, v/hen, the lower part of our bodies resembling a lot of
par-boiled tripe, we crawled out of the culvert. We made our way to a little grove
on the outskirta of Macon and then separated ; sis going one way and I and two
others, S. W. Ludden and John Herd, taking another direction. Our plan was to
march twenty-five miles west,
then gradually swing around,
go 100 miles due north and
thence follow an easterly course
which, according to our calcula-
tions, would bring us in rear of
Atlanta. It was a simple plan,
indeed, itlooked so easy; apleas-
ure trip we thought as we
started out. But we were soon
disappointed and for twenty-
one days we wandered about,
aimlessly sometimes, tired arid
worn out always, with nothing
but the moon and stars to guide
us and the hope of eventually
reaching our troops to keep up
our strength and courage. We
learned more about astronomy
during these twenty-one days
than we ever knew before — Jupi-
ter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, %l]
served us a good turn. Slowly
and amidst untold hardships
we worked our way to the Chat-
tahoochee River, which we
crossed and followed till we
struck the Western & Atlantic
Railroad.
" Our appearance at this time
was anything but inviting. Our
clothes were torn to shreds and
partly bound up by fine bark
strings from young saplings, and
our shoes were tied up in the
same manner. The lower parts
of our legs were bound around with pieces of bark. Our best time was usually made
just before and after daylight early in the morning, as fewer people were around in
those hoars. Thus we plodded along the river bank until one day we saw Confeder*
" GENERAL HOOD WAS CROSSING HIS ARMY."
—480—
ate soldiers in large numbers on the opposite side of the river. The large cornfields
■
on the hills seemed literally alive with forage teams, presenting quite an animated
scene. Our position, close to the wood-skirted bank of the river, seemed safer than
any other within view, so, keeping under cover, we kept working our way forward in
a very cautious manner. A short distance in front, across a cornfield and on the
edge of a piece of woods, could be seen column after column of rebel infantry march-
ing from the river directly back into the country. After watching them for a time
we proceeded to hide ourselves on the river bank, and after crawling around the
rather thin growth of brush and grass got into a fairly good place, and when sitting
up had a splendid view of the pontoon bridge on which General Hood was crossing
his army. This was about ten o'clock in the morning, and from that time until
night the rebel army poured across the bridge in one constant stream — infantry,
artillery, cavalry, generals and staffs, all marching in regular order ; no conf usion, no
noise, but with a military precision imposing in its magnificence that won even
our admiration. Presently two rebel oflScers in a rowboat came floating down the
stream on our side. As we did not want them to know our opinion of the grand ex-
hibition of military splendor of their army, we thought it best not to hail them, but
lay flat on the ground, expecting that they would soon drift beyond us. Now it so
happened that we had selected a very poor hiding place, from the fact that a large
muscadine grape-vine grew near this spot and branched out in every direction, part
of its branches extending over to and hanging nearly into the river, and it was at
this time loaded with grapes, and no doubt presented a tempting appearance from
the river. Naturally it attracted the two oflScers to this particular spot, who com-
menced gathering grapes and hanging on to branches to prevent drifting away.
" Every time the branches were pulled the grapes would come pattering dovn)
on our heads some twenty-five feet from the officers* position, and almost in plain
view, had they looked in our -direction. They were looking at the top of the vine
for the large grapes, completely overlooking the richer fruit at the roots. They
were talking about the flank movement their army was executing and expressed the
utmost confidence in its success.
" * Sherman will be obliged to evacuate Atlanta,' one said and the other assented.
" We were intensely interested in their conversation ; not to that extent, however,
as to forget our exposed position. What I feared most was that they would hear the
beating of my heart. The suspense became dreadful. But finally the officers
had their fill ; they let go of the branches and the boat and its occupants drifted
down the stream.
"Three minutes later we were in good hiding in a shock of cornstalks in
the adjoining field, and from this time on — about four o'clock — until dark we
kept very quiet. After dark we walked boldly up to the road and at the first break
that occurred in their column we got over the fence, crossed the road and entered
the woods on the other side. We had great difficulty in making our way in the
darkness of t^e night and decided to halt for fear of running against some of the
rebel pickets.
" At break of day we resumed our jonmey. Toward morning a fog commenced
to gather and soon got bo thick that we could not see forty feet ahead of us. That
was our opportunity. We pushed ahead, and for a time were simply mixed up with
the rebels. They were just getting breakfast and all seemed bustle and confusion.
We lost no time in patting oorselves outside of their lines and were at least two miles
away when the fog cleared np. We marched all day and night and by seven o'clock
the following morning discovered onr troops on the other side of the Chattahoochee
River. We crossed the stream and once more we were among our own troops, our
friends, our comrades.
"We were at once brought to General Eilpatrick, who questioned us sharply
concerning onr identity, and, having satis6ed himself, discussed with us the details
of the enemy's operations, of which we had been eye-witnesses. The information
thus obtained was forwarded to Qeneral Sherman, who arranged his plans accord-
ingly.
"We made our escape at Macon 103 miles south, September 10, 1864 ; it had
taken us twenty-one days to make this apparently short distance, but I think we
must have traveled 800 miles at least."
THE FALL OF FORT HARRISON
/^APTAiN Cboil Clay, of Company K, Fifty-eighth Penn-
^— ' sylvania Infantry, was awarded the Medal of Honor for
leading the attack on Fort Harrison, Ya., bearing the flag of
another regiment which he had picked up by the way. The
attack was made, and the fort carried, by the first division of
the Eighteenth Corps on September 29, 1864. Captain Clay
writes:
"We were drawn up about three-quarters of a mile from
Fort Harrison, and before ns was a stretch of open ground. r=u.«,u«i.
Onr skirmish line advanced alternately firing and halting to reload, while before
them the rebel skirmishers retired with equal deliberation. As soon as our advance
OEOn. flLAT
CapUln^Co. K, Bgth Pen
BIghPS
in. ^o, &, anil
lutODtry.
From September 28 to 80, 1SA4, the Arm; of the James was eag&ged in the neighborhood of New
Market Road, Va. The cnptare of Forts Hurlum and 6ilmore, and the engagements at Clia|dii*B Farm and
I^nrel HIU were included in what ia generally known as the battle of New Market Helghto. The Union
Army lost 2,429 in killed and wooiuled and the Confederates about 2,000, but the result of the battle was in
favor of the Federals.
eommenred tlie rebel gnns opened upon ns all along the line. We loet & bi^e nmn-
ber of men croenng the open space, bat I coald see no signs oC warerixi^. "VThen
we reached a point aboat 100 yards from the fort, where we were protected from
^i^eepce*"? of the sronnii, w<» hslt**d ^o ™t
m our line. We iay down for a moment,
a few hundred yards away what appeared
works by fours. We thoagbt-at
trying to get in ahettd of as, but
rebels.
rode ap ui a$, his old-
tfae fire of the enemy's guns by the
onr breath and close ap the ga[)^
uid as I looked to the right 1 san-
to be ? bri^de moving into tbe
fiizt that it mast be the Tenth Corps
H occnrred tc me that they were
"At that moment Colonel Roberts
fashioned black stock twisted arouml
until the big bow was at the l>aek of
his ne^-k. Grasping a revolver by the
muzzle, and, waving it as one woold a
war club, he .-■hoate*! : ' Now men, just
two minnr^-j tO take that fort
Jost two minutes, men I'
"We sprang to our feet
and dretsKed our Line in an
instant. ' For^^ard '. ' rang out
from the officers, and away
we went.
" We struck the works on the
north face, where the Jitch was fully
ten feet deep. The rebels fired at us
and threw at u.-- anything they could lay
their hands on while we were jumping into
the ditch. The first Sergeant of my company
was hit oa the head by a fuse mallet and
knocked down. He jumped to his feet, mad
an a hornet, and exclaimed: 'I>amn a man who
will use a thing like that for a weapon.' A rebel
officer mountcl on an old gray horse rode ont of a
isally port near by. and pulling up oa the bridge
which spanned the ditch blazed away at as with bis
revolver. One of my men, named -Johason, who had
been shot through the right arm, took his revolver in
his left hand and emptied it at the rebel, but every shot
went wide, and Johnson was left with an empty
revolver.
"Billy Bourke, a sandy-haired Irishman, had picked up the blue State flag of the
One hundred and eighty-eighth Pennsylvania, the bearer of which had been shot »t
the edge of the ditch. Side by side we two climbed the parapet, until we could
look over into the fort. No sooner bad we raised our heads than a ball struck
Boorke, cutting a gash across his forehead. He knocked against me, and we rolled
back into the ditch together. Bourke was unable to see, as the blood was running
into his eyes, so he gave me the colors and with the aid of a sword which I had
plunged into the embankment as a footstep he hoisted me up on the parapet once
more. Meantime Johnston had also climbed up, and was shot through the left arm be-
low the elbow as soon as he appeared on the parapet. Disregarding his wounds he
jumped on the banquette, leveled his empty revolver at two wounded officers who
were crouching there and made thera surrender to him. Just then a little fellow
fired at Johnson with a revolver and knocked him over. In the meantime the
division was stubbornly fighting its way into the fort and the rebels were Ijeginning
to retreat when one of them turned and fired two shots at me, drilling a couple of
holes in my right arm. Shifting the colors to my left hand, I continued to lead the
advance until that hand was shot through also, and I bad to stop and lay the colors
up against the parapet. Some of the One hundred and eighty-eighth came up at
this moment and I handed them their flag, which I had carried throughout the en-
tire charge."
Captain Clay's wound proved to be so serious that it shortly afterward entailed
the loss of the entire arm.
A MESSAGE DELIVERED
UNDER DIFFICULTY
WITH two dangerous wounds in his body Lieutenant
Samuel B. Home, of Company H, Eleventh Con-
necticut Infantry, was carried off the field at Cold Harbor,
Va., June 3, 1864, and sent to a hospital. Though his [
recovery proceeded slowly, he could not bear to be con-
fined to his bed and three months later returned to his
regiment, though still an invalid. Ten days later, at
Chapin's Farm, Va., September 29, 1864, he won his medal
by a display of courage almost superhuman. It happened
thus : Upon his return to the regiment he was attached
to the staff of General Ord as aide-de-camp, and during the
attack on Fort Harrison was sent to deliver a verbal mes-
sage to the colonel of one of the advancing regiments.
" Though my injuries still pained me very much I obeyed the order cheerfully,"
Lieutenant Home goes on to tell. "I spurred my horse forward and soon came
within range of the enemy's guns. While going at full gallop my horse was killed
SAMUEL B. BORNE.
LleulcDftiit. Co. H. 11th ConD
by grape shot and fell upon me with crnshing weight, encking some of my zibi;
mjurmg me internally and pinioning me to the gromid. Here I lay perfectly help-
less and suffering intense pain, antil Colonel Wells rode up and relieved me from
my precarious position. Still the message had to be deliTered and althotig^h lacer-
ated, in great pain and partly denuded, I proceeded on foot to carry out my miasioiL
I conld only advance slowly and with difficulty and had to pass nnder the rery gnns
of the fort before I reached the colonel of the advancing regiment I reported to
General Ord and was with him when he was wounded on the parapet and with him
was taken to the rear."
THOUGHT ONLY OF SAVING
THE FLAG
'T^z attack upon the rebel works at Kew Market
1
Va., September 29, 1864, one of
OHSItTU> A. FLSBTVOOD.
8«rgraDt-Ua]or, ith U. 8. Colored Troopd.
the most stubborn in the history of the 'war, was
delivered by the Fourth and Sixth U. S. Colored
Troops, who lost more than half their men in that
bloody charge. An account of th§ occurrence is
given by Sergeant-Major Christian A. Fleetwood
of the Fourth U. S. Colored Troops, as follows :
"Our regiment lined up for the charge with
eleven officers and 350 enlisted men. There was
but one field officer with us. Major A. S. Boerastein, who was in command. Our ad-
jutant, George Allen, supervised the right, and I, as sergeant-major, the left. "Whon
the charge was started our color-guard was complete. Only one of the twelve
came off that field on his own feet. Most of the others are there still. Early
in the rush one of the sergeants went down, a bullet cutting lus flag-staff in two and
passing through his body. The other sergeant, Alfred B. Hilton, of Company H, a
magnificent specimen of manhood, over six feet tall and splendidly pronottioned,
caught up the other flag and pressed forward with them both.
"It was a deadly hailstorm of bullets, sweeping men down as hailstones sweep
the leaves from the trees, and it was not long before he also went down, shot
through the leg. As be fell he held up the flags and shouted: 'Boys, save the
colors!'
" Before tliey could touch the ground, Corporal Charles Veal, of Company D had
seized the l>Iue flag, and I the American flag, which had been presented to ns by the
patriotic women of onr boirie in Baltimore.
"Itwas very evident that there was too much work cut out forour regiments. Strong
earthworks, protected in front by two lines of abatis and one line of palisades, and in
the rear by a lot of men who proved that they knew how to
shoot and largely outnumbered us. We struggled through
the two lines of abatis, a few getting through the palisades,
but it was sheer madness, and those of us who were able
had to get out as best we could. Reaching the line of our
reserves and no commissioned oflScer being in sight, I rallied
the survivors around the flag, rounding up at first eighty-
five men and three commissioned officers. During the day
about thirty more men came along — all that was left.
"I have never been able to understand how Veal and I
lived under snch a hail of bullets, unless it was because we
were, both such little fellows. I think I weighed then about
125 pounds and Veal about the same. We did not get a
scratch. A bullet passed between my legs, cutting my boot-
leg, trousers and even my stocking, vrithout breaking the skin."
The brave sergeant-major and his no less brave comrades, Sei^eant Alfred B.
Hilton, of Company H, and Corporal Charles Veal, of Company D, were awarded the
Medal of Honor.
At the same battle First Sergeant Alexander Kelly, of Company F, Sixth U. S.
Colored Troops, also distinguished himself and was awarded with the medal for
saving th^ flag of his regiment after the color-bearer and most of the company had
been either killed or wounded.
ALBZlaHBR KILLT.
BDl. Co. F.Sllt
lored Troops.
BanilnIndlAii«Oo.,PB., April
T.iwt.
THE STORY OF A YOUTHFUL HERO
'T'hb narrator of the following story, Corporal William L.
■^ Graul, of Company I, One hundred and eighty-eighth
Pennsylvania Infantry, was a mere boy of eighteen when
he earned his medal for an act of distinguished bravery and
dash at the storming of Fort Hanison, Va., September 29,
1864. He writes:
" On the night of the 28th of September we were ordered
to cross the James River on a muffled pontoon bridge at
'^ " Corpoml.Co.I.lSSthPs. Infantry
Akren's Landing. Just at the break of the next day we Bom « Readme, p».,jutraT,
commenced a cautions advance upon the. enemy, whose
pickets were soon encountered and driven back, and pushing on at quick time
through a wood with tangled nndei^rowth we at last emerged upon open ground in
front of the rebel works, which were only a few yards away. Fort Harrison,
strongly built and bristling with cannon, was in our immediate front, and we were
ordered to chu^. A long stretch of open ground was passed at a ma, and though
WILLIAM L. ORAVL,
"■.11 "'tiicu rt; ven?
■ i-i'v tuat m.y .-.>at-
had to retreat. I gave the order, but in the roar of canoons and the smoke of firing
we became confused and we missed the bridge and had to swim the stream. After
thus crossing the water we marched for some distance and finally arrived at a farm-
house, where we found a woman apparently only too willing to help us find our way,
" 'Which direction has our Jine of battle taken ? ' I asked her.
"She pointed toward Bichmond. I knew she was not telling the truth and took
my company in an opposite direction. A little later we met one of our aides, who
warned us that we were in danger of being gobbled up by the enemy's cavalry, so we
started At a double-quick and found the regiment drawn up in the woods.
"My company in this advance had got nearer to Richmond than any Union
troops had yet done, and the information we brought back was of great importance
to the Army of the James.''
REACHED THE CAPTAIN JUST
IN TIME
JOHH e. DAKBOnOH,
ttergetnc, Co. F. IlBlh Illinois
Intantrr.
Bom >t HftTBVlUe, ^., April S. 1E41.
'T'he deed of Sei^eant John S. Darrough, of Comjany P,
^ One hundred and thirteenth Illinois Infantry, was a
truly noble one.
In a bad plight himself and in want of help, he forgot
his own serious predicament when he saw an officer
in danger and hastened to his rescue. The stoty is told
by the sergeant in these simple words :
" Our regiment had dwindled down to 300 men, when
it was dispatched from Memphis, Tenn., to cut the com-
munications at Eastport, by tearing up the tracks and de-
stroying the bridge. The transports, convoyed by small wooden gunboats, pro-
ceeded up the Mississippi and Tennessee Bivers, and landed us about three miles
below Eastport, on the south side of the river.
"Our force was partly landed when a masked battery in a clump of trees opened
Gre on ns at close range, doing great execution. Steam-pipes were cut and many of
the men scalded. The boats backed out from the bank without waiting to haul in
their gang-planks. Most of our men made their way to a point down stream where
they were partly out of range, and one of the gunboats dashed in and took them off,
while the other engaged the battery.
" Those of us who were unable to get to the point in time to be taken off were
left to shift for ourselves. A deep bayou prevented ns from going farther down
the bank, and our only means of escape seemed to be by swimming the Tennessee,
which was a mile wide at this point
" I made np my mind at once that the Tennessee was b; far preferable to either
being shot to death or made a prisoner, and concluded to swim across the stream.
How to carry my gun and clothes was the next perplexing question, and I com-
menced to look for a log or limb to float them on, when, to my great joy, I presently
discovered a canoe hidden in a canehrake. I quickly launched and boarded
the boat and, making vigorous use of the one oar it contained, paddled out into the
river, where I could see the bend. Our boats were quite a distance away and under
headway, though the gunboat and battery were still carrying on their cannonading.
I felt satisfied that I would either overtake the boats or cross to the opposite side of
the river and have a chance at least to join the Union forces some fifty or a hundred
miles away.
"Then something occurred which, for the time being, changed my entire plan.
Looking ashore in the direction of the rebels, I noticed one of our men in a helpless
condition. He had crossed the bayou and advanced quite a way down the river,
when his strength had apparently given out. There remained but one thing to do :
to get to the rescue of my comrade.
" I confess, it was not a pleasant task to paddle back toward the rebels, but I
hastened ashore and then discovered the comrade to be Captain A. W. Becket, of
Company B. He was faint and exhausted and about to give out completely. I
placed him in the canoe and succeeded in reaching the other shore safely."
A DISPLAY OF COOLNESS AND
NERVE
A MONO the Union forces at Baton Rouge, La., in
'*■ October, 1864, was Captain Mack's Black Horse
Battery of Rochester, N. Y., officially known as the
Eighteenth Independent Battery of New York. On
the 11th of October the officer in command of the bat-
tery directed Corporal Champany to repack the limber
chest belonging to his gun. It contained sixteen cart-
ridges, each one holding two pounds of powder and
thirty-two twenty-pound shell and shot. About twenty
of the shells were what are known as fuse shells, filled
to the nozzle with powder and iron bullets, tow being
put in to keep the powder from spilling out. The remainder of the missiles were
solid shot, percussion shells and canister.
Having completed the repacking, Corporal Champany found that he could not
dose the lid without help and called to Private Charles White to assist him. The
TBOHAS QILBEBT.
violent pressare they together put upon the lid in some way eansetl a terrific ei*
plosion, killing Champany almost int^tautly, tlirowinj^ Wliite seventy feet away,
where he lauded in a mud puddle, and Mowing tlie chest to atoms. The tirst man
to reach the scene of the tragedy was Private Tlioraaa Gill^rt, who naiTatea what
happened ad follows ;
" I ran to poor Champany, who, horrihly burned and mangletl, was still breathing,
but just as I reached him I noticed that the tow of some of the unexploded shells
was burning. Seizing a pail of water fi-om a gunner near liy and callin,^ loudly for
more water, I dashed the contents of the pail on the burning .*bells. Then, another
pail of water having l>een brought, I picked up the twenty sheila and dipped the
burning end of each into the water. By this action the ciii.sr?oiLS of the entire bat-
tery and the lives of many men who had quickly giirhei-ed ai'out. to say nothing of
my own life, were saved. The explosion was heai-d miles away and it becamt
necessary to aurrouud the battery with guanls to keep the curious away."
ROUNDED UP FORTY REBELS
FBANELIH JOHITDRO,
AsoTHEE interesting incident at the battle ol
Chapin's Farm, Va.,SHpteuiber. 31'. lS6-i, was Pri
vate Franklin Johiulro's gathering in of forty rebei.*
The battle h:id raged for smue time. Tlie secont
charge of Longstreet's Army hud I>een rei^ulsed bj
the Union foires and the Confederates were falUna
Iiack. The One hundred and eighteenth Xew York
Volunteers held a position about twenty rods from
the foot of a slight hill, which was occupied bv the
enemy. Every charge thus far made had been im-
mediately repulsed by this i-egimeut countercharging
Il..^:l^.c!l!^•l■L•a■.<^^a,li.vt. ^^ soou OS tbe euemv uppearpd in force on the hill
This manoenvi'e checked every assault at the foot of
the hill, ilaiiy of the rel>el3 found temixirary pnitection rhei-e, but could not retreat.
The <'ai>ruin of Company A saw quite a number of these unfortunates. He pointed
out to Private Johmlro the danger these fellows were putting his men in. and then
induced tliis brave soldier to at once tix his I'ayonet and chai'^e all alone ou these
skulkei-s. A lieavy tire was concentrated upon him by the enemy's sharpshooter^
but he succeeded in driving in no less than forty rebels as his prisoners.
A tt'W months later wlien the Medal of Honor was piuued to his breast for this
deed, his colonel remarkotl: "■Tohinlrn, if t owned this Medal of Honor and had
won it in tlie way you did. I should think more of it than I do of the eagles that I
can-y on my shouldei-s."'
TWO RIDERS ON ONE HORSE
EBKBT H. OBOCEEB.
CaptalD, Co. F, 3d HsBs. CaTslry.
Born at CoIcheBt^r, Conn., Jan.
Z0,1»M.
WEEN Longsireet and Early planned to annihilate
Sheridan's Army in the Shenandoah Valley, the
Federal forces were at the little village of Middletown,
Ta., and aronnd the immediate neighborhood, between
the village and Cedar Creek. The Confederate attack
made at early dawn, October 19, 1864, was a complete
snrprise, and came so unexpectedly that many of
the Union soldiers had no time to put on their clothes.
About ten o'clock in the forenoon General Sheridan
reached the scene of action, and the battle of Cedai
Creek — which continued throughout the day — was
transformed from defeat, ront and confusion to order
and victory.
The Second Massachusetts Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Caspar Crowninshield
commanding, was attached to Lowell's Brigade and was stationed near the village
of Middletown. Captain Henry H. Crocker, of Company F, a part of the so-called
Oalifomia Battalion attached to this regiment, refers to the battle as follows :
*''We were aroused early in the morning by the attack of the enemy. Aa the
enemy came upon us with force we were compelled to fall back slightly, but as we
did BO we inclined toward the pike at our right, thus keeping our line of communi-
cation open. It was a bitter contest, the enemy coming at us in several distinct
charges, in each of which they were repulsed. Colonel Lowell, our brigade com-
mander, who was killed later in the day, rode up and down our line encouraging the
men to stand together, and assuring them that General Sheridan would soon be on
the field with re-enforcements.
"About this time a body of the enemy was seen to emerge form the woods and
advance npon our front. My mind was immediately set npon checking those fel-
lows, so I rode up to Colonel Crowninshield and asked permission to charge them.
The colonel gave his consent, but cautioned me not to advance too far, and *if pos-
able,' he added, 'come back with a few prisoners.'
Cein Oncki Ta.— After his victorr at FIiher'B Hill, Sheridan proceeded to la; waste to the Shenandoah
Tallef. Freqaent c&valrr combats took place between Sheridan's and Early's forces at Cedar Creek,
bnt no deciaive moTement occurred ontil the 19th of October, 1864. Boon after midnight of the 18th Early
SDipiised General Wright, who in Sheridan's abience was in command of the Union Cavalry. The Federal
tmops were completely demoralised and were falling back toward Winchester. Sheridan had returned to
As latter place from Washington the night before, and npon hearing the artillery firing he started in the
n a dashing twenty-mile ride, and arrived on the field of battle in time to check the retreat and
B it into one of the moat brilliant victories of the war. The Federal loss was 6,086, while the Confed-
te loM was 4,200.
"I borried back to my company and told the boys, very mnch to their satisEao-
tion, of the work before us. We waited until we knew that the advancing force
could give us but one volley before we could reach them, then I gave the command:
'Forward! Trot! Gallop'. Charge'.' and away
we went with sabres flashing in the sunlight.
The expected volley was received, saddles
were emptied and horses went down, but on
we went. In less time than it takes to tell it
we were among them, their line was broken
and we demanded their surrender. Many ran
back into the woods where we could plainly
see the enemy in force, but they
did not fire upon us for fear
of hitting their own men.
We brought back
foorteen prisoners
on the run.
"In the heat of
our charge I had felt
a dull, throbbing pain
in my left leg and
knew that I Iuk
been wounded,
but that did
not pre
vent m (
from stop-
ping, on
our return, to pick up Lieutenant Mcintosh, whose horse had been killed and who was
loosening the cinch from his saddle. When he had completed his task he mounted
my horse behind me and thus we rode back to our lines just as General Sheridan
came dashing along the road on his famous ride from Winchester."
The prisoners captured by Captain Croker in this charge were, according to the
statement of Colonel Crowninshield, the first rebels captured that day, and therefore
of great importance to General Sheridan, who had them questioned closely as to the
strength and formation of the opposing army. They also gave the valuable and as-
suring information that General Longstreet had not united forces with General
Early, as had been believed by the leaders of the Union forces. This was informa-
tion of such importance that it naturally changed arrangements of manoeuvres and
ihe expected defeat of the morning was changed into a grand victory by evening.
•FORWARD I" HIS VOICE RANG OUT
"T^HK loss of some guns was one of the most unfortunate incidents to the Union
■* forces during the early part of the battle of Cedar Creek. The circumstances
of the occurrence are referred to by General Warren J. Keifer, of the Tenth Ohio
Infantry, who commanded the Third Division, as follows :
"A number of guns belonging to the Sixth Corps were posted on the hills on my
left. The guns under the command of Captains McKnightand Adams and under the
direction of Colonel Tompkins, Chief of Artillery of the Sixth Corps, were admirably
handled and rapidly fired, although under a heavy and close musketry fire of the
enemy. After over 100 artillery horses had been shot, the enemy succeeded in cap-
turing a portion of the guns, having approached under cover of the smoke and fog
from the left, which was unprotected. A charge was ordered and the guns were
retake'n, three of which were drawn off by hand; othei-s were left in consequence of
being disabled, but were subsequently recaptured. Great gallantry was displayed
in this charge by officers and men. The rebels were fought hand-to-hand and driven
from the guns."
The saving of the guns was the proud achievement of Colonel W. W. Henry, oi
the Tenth Vermont Infantry. He undertook the task when no one else would, and
at a time when courage and heroism were most needed.
When Captain McKnight, pressed by the enemy, was forced to abandon his guns,
great confusion followed within the Union lines and the entire brigade fell back
some 300 yards. General Ricketts, the division commander, succeeded in stopping
a further retreat, re-established the lines and ordered the capture of the abandoned
guns. But in spite of the order not a regiment stirred. Vexed and annoyed. Gen-
eral Ricketts exclaimed : " Is there not some officer of the First Brigade who will
lead the charge 1 "
Instead of an answer Colonel Henry stepped in front of his regiment.
"Forward !" his voice rang out.
And at the head of the color-guard he marched his men against the rebels. A
wild rush for the guns was made, and while some of the Vermonters engaged the
Confederates in a hand-to-hand fight others busied themselves about the guns and
hauled them off. The arrival of the balance of the brigade prevented the rebels
from pursuing the daring colonel and his brave regiment, and Captain McEnight's
captured guns were brooght back unmolested to General Ricketts.
"HALTl I WANT YOUR FLAG!"
KABBT J. PARKS.
Private, Troop A. Ninth New York
Highest rank attAlned: O&ptala.
Bora at Waraaw, K. Y., Feb. Si, lau.
WHEN General Sheridan's forces, late in the afternoon
of the battle of Cedar Greek, made their last
charge and completely routed the enemy, it was fol-
lowed by some confusion within the Union ranks them-
selves. Many companies became separated from theii
regiments, regiments from their divisions. This hap-
pened, among other troops, to the Ninth Few York
Cavalry, which, at the end of the battle, when night-
Call came, was completely broken up.
Troop A of that regiment had charged the enemy
through Strasbui^, and while following the fleeing
Confederates to Fisher's Hill had been separated from
the main body, and, dissolved into small squads, was
gathering prisoners, capturing wagons, ammunition, etc. One member of that troop,
Private Harry J. Parks, in his ardor to head off the Confederate supply train, had
galloped far in advance of his comrades and was, before he realized it himself, in the
very midst of a large body of rebel soldiers. However, darkness shielded him from
being recognized, and the plucky private's own story shows how he preserved his
presence of mind and extricated himself from the dangerous situation in a manner
which reflecta great credit upon him. He says :
"I pushed on rapidly and presently came upon a Confederate who was carrying
a stand of colors and an overcoat on his arm.
" ' Halt ! ' I exclaimed, ' I want your flag ! '
"The rebel made a quick jump behind my horse, drew his revolver and made a
dash for the river.
" I wheeled my horse, pulled my own gun and fired at tiim. I must have scared
him badly, for he threw up his hands in despair and shouted :
" ' I surrender ! Don't shoot again ! '
"And now prisoner and flag were mine. I marched the Johnny at the side of
my horse till some time later, when I met one of our men, to whom I turned over my
prisoner. I advanced still farther, and at the foot of Fisher's Hill encountered two
teamsters in charge of three wagons. I stopped and ordered them to 'Turn around,
quick ! Drive the other way ! Follow me !'
" In the darkness they mistook me for one of their own men and obeyed my
directions without hesitation. I led them to our own lines and within safe distance
disarmed them and brought them in as prisoners. The wagons contained loads of
choice eatables, cigars and tobacco, and for several days following our boys lived
high and in luxury."
HOW GENERAL RAMSEUR WAS
MADE A PRISONER
TBEDSRICK A. LTOll,
Corporal. Co. A, let VL
Bom at WLtllamBburK
Mass., June 3G, IMS.
WHiLi it may be true that, as Corporal Frederick
Lyon, of Company A, First Vermont Cavalry,
states, the "luck" or "opportunity" of distinguishing
oneself in the cavalry, in a measure, depends on the
mount, the corporal's own achievement — as brilliant as
any during the war — cannot be cited in proof of the asser-
tion. Presence of mind, quick decision and boldness rather
than the mount were the elements of this cavalryman's "lack,"
irhich is shoTpn by Corporal Lyon's own story :
"It was af the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. On
account of bfflng surprised the left of our line fell back during
the day newly four miles. About four or five o'clock in the afternoon General
Merritt's Division of cavalry charged that branch of the rebel force on the 'Dirt
Road ' which ran parallel to the Pike nearly four miles distant, and we saw nothing
more of them during the engagement. It was nearly night when General Custer's
Division was ordered forward. Upon reaching Cedar Creek we found that the enemy
had all crossed the stream. Sergeant Haskell, of Company H, of my regiment, and
myself were the first to cross at some distance above the bridge, but we were not long
without company, the whole command coming in a body. The ground was level for
some distance after leaving the creek and many prisoners were taken and sent to
the rear under their own escort. At the top of a sharp hill we halted for a moment
and made some pretense of forming a line. This delay, however, was of short dura-
tion. It was getting so dark now that we could not distinguish our own men.
Knowing that General Merritt had routed the enemy's entire cavalry force, and as
we had no infantry on that side of Cedar Creek, it was obvious that every dis-
mounted man we met belonged to General Early's command.
"We had only charged a short distance around the curve in the pike when we
came upon the whole retreating army, infantry, artillery, ambulance, baggage
wagons, etc. The charge as a command was at an end. It was every one for him-
self, and the longest pale knocked off the largest persimmons. All was excitement
The fun for us at least was unlimited. I never saw such a stampede. Whole com-
panies surrendered to half a dozen mounted men. Some of us galloped forward
seeking diversion nearer the front. The only way was to call your horse out on
one side of the pike, ride past half a dozen wagons, or pieces of artillery, command
the leading rider to halt, shooting dovm a horse if necessary to force obedience, and
order all to the rear.
" I was getting well to the front of the retreating column. Even a rebel bugler who
had been near me continually sounding the charge was ordered to the rear. It was
dark ; I b^ian to feel as if I was away hrom home, among a stzange people. Jump-
ing my horse upon a bank to the right, I rode past a number of w^ons. and halted
an ambulance that was about to cross the bridge at Strasbni^. A voice from out
the darkness replied : 'General Ramseur is inside and he ordered os to •moTe on,*
"Now I had seen considerable of generals, but to order one to 'halt,* and a maj<»>
general at that, after he had given the order to ' move on,* was considerably ont <rf
my line. It was reversing things. I fortunately maintained my presence of mind
and a second time requested their delay, informing them that I was a member in
good standing of the Federal Army. 'What'— from the ambulance — 'are yon a
"GENERAL RAMSEUR IS INSIDE."
Yank?* I
replied that I
belonged to the
First Cavalry, and my
questioner, a major on
General Ramsenr*s staff, ap-
preciated the sitoatioxt at
once.
"The conference was brief and ended in the ambolance turning around and star^
lug back toward Cedar Creek and Winchester. On the retom I met General William
Wells, commanding our brigade, who advised me to take my prisoners to General
Custer's headquarters. The ambulance contained the general, a major, driver and a
battle-flag. Generals Custer and Ramseur knew each other well, having been class-
mates at West Point."
Within a week after this incident, Corporal Lyou received orders to report to
Washington, and was there presented with a Medal of Honor by President Lincoln
in preeence of his cabinet.
STORIES OF THE FLAG AT
CEDAR CREEK
r
JOHK
Oorponl , Co. D. ttb
York C«T»lfy.
Born Id Co. Tlppen
Inluid, Deo. i, Ut
ESI D. WOODBUBT,
lorn Kt Fnncetown. N. B
Mur SO. isse.
'HE following tell of interesting episodes
centering around the colors, Federal
and Confederate, at the long-drawn-out
and bloody battle of Cedar Creek.
Early in the engagement the standard
of the Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry had
been captured by the enemy. The loss
became quickly known among the Union
troops and several unsuccessful attempts
to recapture the flag were made. Corporal John Walsh, of Company D, Fifth New
York Cavalry, during one of the subsequent fierce charges, had the good fortune to
BQCceed where so many others had failed. During the heat of a hand-to-hand strug-
gle he noticed a Confederate color-bearer carrying a flag which he at once recognized
as the one taken from the New Jersey boys. With a sadden rush he made for the
rebel guard, overpowered him and wrenched the trophy from him. All of this was
done on the spar of the moment and so quickly that the Confederate color-guard
and his comrades hardly realized what had happened until it was all over and the
daring corporal with his precious prize was back within the Union lines.
It was an impressive scene when, after the battle, the New Jersey regiment was
called out on parade, and in pi'esence of General Sherman received back its colors
at the hands of Corporal Walsh.
The last decisive charge was made in the afternoon between three and four
o'clock. It was by far the bloodiest of the entire battle and
put the individual bravery of the Union soldier to its highest
test. The conduct of Private Martin Wambsgan, of Com-
pany D, Ninetieth New York Infantry, furnishes a good
illustration. While on the advance the color-bearer of his
regiment was killed, shot through the head. He fell forward
on his face and landed squarely on the flag, which was rid-
dled with bullet holes, while the staff had been shot in two.
When this occurred Private Wambsgan was only a few
feet away from the unfortunate flag-bearer. With one leap
he was at his side, pulled the colors from under him, and,
yelling as loudly as he possibly could, waved the flag over his
head. Then he ran to the front of his regiment, where he
took post during the remainder of the fight, holding the colors aloft, the piece of
pole and his arm serving as a flag-staff. At the time the color-bearer was killed
HABTUt WAHBBOAH.
Private, Co. D. »Oth N. Y. Inl.
Bom In BBTBrlB. Germanr,
and the colors went down the regiment showed signs of wareriBg, bat Private
Wambsgan's quick action renewed the enei^ and courage of the men and contrib-
nted materially to the success of the charge.
During the same chaise, when the enemy were already in fall retreat, SeTgeant
Eri D. Woodbury, of Company E, First Vermont Cavalry, encountered four Confed-
erate infantrymen retreating toward a small knoll. He drew hia sabre and ordered
them to surrender. The rebels hesitated, but did not raise their rifles. The actions
of one made Woodbury suspicious, and scanning him more closely he perceived that
he was trailing behind him a flag rolled on his staff.
"Give up that flag!" Woodbury demanded.
Naturally, the Confederate objected, but the determination of the Union cavaliy-
man soon convinced him that resistance would be folly and reluctantly he handed
over his colors. The brave sergeant then rode proudly back to his regiment, where
he handed over his prisoners and captured colors and received the commendation of
his superior officers.
CAPTURE OF GENERAL MARMADUKE
T-
"■he capture of a general officer in battle is a note-
worthy event, but when the officer is one of promi-
! uence the act becomes of great interest, and especially
when the capture is made single-handed by a private
soldier; thus the capture of Confederate Creneral
Marmaduke by Private James Dunlavy, Company
1 >, Third Iowa Cavalry, necessarily takes a high place in
the annals of history.
Atnid the heavy roar of cannon, on the open plains of
the two contending forces met to do battle for
supremacy at Little Osage Crossing on the morning of the
25th of October, 1864. The Confederate artillery was playing
on the Federal forces with fearful efifect,bnt notwithstanding
this incessant and terrific fire the Federal infantry never wavered. The safety of
the Federals lay in a charge by which the enemy's guns could be captured. The
Bora In Dfcatur Cou
Early in the spring of 1^64 it became known to General Rosecraus, commanding the depKrtment of
HisBOuri, that the Confederate tlenenil Price intended a (freat invasion of Miagouri. which is historicmllj
known as Price's Missouri Expedition (Aug. 28-Dec. 2, 1864), and included akirmiBhes, engagements and
battles in Missouri, Kuns-ue and Arkunsas. At Little Oita^ Cro§8lng, Saimti. on the 2Cth of October, tfa«
Federals under General PIcusanton routed the Confederates, capturing l,OOD priBonen, military mmu,
ammunition, and Generals Marmaduke and Cabell.
movement waa begun slowly at first, but increased in velocity nntil it swept on
resistless as an ara-lanche. The crash of musketry, the scream of shell, the buzzing
of canister and ball enthused the dashing cavalry. The charge was successful, the
rebels being routed. At this juncture Private James Dunlavy was severely wounded,
his arm being shattered by a piece of shell, which also struck his horse, making him
wheel suddenly to the rear. Undaunted, the plucky rider headed him in the direc-
tion of a brigade which he thought was his own, but which proved to be the enemy.
He noticed a Confederate officer riding among the
excited soldiers and exhorting them to make a
stand. Duulavy raised his carbine, aimed at
him and fired. The shot missed its mark, but
had served to attract the officer's attention
to the doughty soldier, and dashing up to
him he asked in an angry tone :
"What do you mean, shooting
at your own officer? Give
me that revolver."
" Surrender, or
I'll fire!"
To say that the
Confederate officer
was paralyzed with
^_- „ ^ir^''' t^ 10m r^^i^K. i^urprise at finding him-
^^^^^1 ^^ fi #% ^^K^^^ '^^^^ ^^ ^^^ mercy of a
^^^^K m^-^ ll^fa^ff^i^M&^^ /m Union soldier ex-
^^Pi&;^^^)p|^'3qillJfa|^|H^^^^HHHHj^^ pressing it mildly.
But he offered no
resistance and
handed over his
"HE ASKED FOR A SLOWER TEMPO." revolver. Justthen
a comrade ran up to
Dunlavy. " My horse baa been shot. Give me that of your prisoner," he said.
Dunlavy made the officer dismount and accommodated his comrade. Then the
two started for the rear, Dunlavy on horseback, the prisoner trotting along at
double-quick.
The latter was far from relishing the hurried march and soon asked for a
slower tempo. "I am very tired and worn out. Have been up all night," he
said.
Good naturedly the cavalryman slowed down. The Confederate made still
another request.
"Can't you get me a horse ? I'd like to ride."
But Dunlavy was not inclined to make further concessions. Why shonld I give
Mm a horse ? he thought. And his replr to the question was a curt " No.**
Again the silence was broken by the prisoner.
" Will you take me to General Pleasanton ? " he said. *• I am personally acqnaint-
ed with him." Becoming more confidential, he added : " Young man. I'll tell you
who I am.''
He had not quite finished the sentence when Colonel C. W. Blair, of General
Curtis' staff, rode up and approached the prisoner.
" I am (jeuenil Marmaduke,"' the officer said, addressing the new-comer.
It was now Private Dualavy's turn to be surprised. He a{>o]c^ized to his distin-
guii^hed prisoner and with all the politeness at his disposal turned him over to
Colonel Blair, who procured a horse for General Marmaduke and brought both
prisoner and captor before General Curtis, who complimented Dnnlavy and ordered
him to the hospital
SCENES FROM HATCHER'S RUN
SOMX of the most thrilling and inspiring incidents oc-
curred at the battle of Hatcher's Bun, Ta., October
27, I8*>4. It was here that Private Alonzo Smith, of
Company C, Seventh 5Iichigan Infantry, performed an
act of extraordinary daring.
Hhi regiment, in position on the edge of the woods.
had not yet taken an active part in the great fight-
FresentJy Private Smith's atteution was drawn to a
body of soldiers a short distance from him in the woods.
Not knowing whether they were friend or foe he de-
cided to investigate for himself and started out to ascer-
tain their identity. When about thirty or forty rods from his own regimental line he
satisfied hiriLself that the soldiers were "Johnnies." They were approaching him so
lbtriier*s Bu, Ta. — Tho aieK« of Petersburg was in pro^^sa nearlf four months, when, ob the 27tli
ot (ycu/lmr, J*)84, Idir .\rmy of tJiB I'utumau bejian a movement K> extend its lines to Hatcher's Ron, V*.,
and Uj still furtlir-r iliMtniy the Weldon Kailroad. The Second Armj Corps and the Seeond Division of the
Ki/Lh <.yr[rtf, with i::ivalry inadvanoeandon thu left flank, f-ir-.-.-d a pas^ngi^ at HaiL-her'a Run and moved along
Ihk railnjiui until thf fume of cavalry and the Sttcund Curpii had reached the Boydlon Plank Boad where it
vruM4-s tli« Itiiii. At this piiint a blimdy cDinhat ensued Ix-twi'vn Himc<M;k's and Warren's Corps and the
Con ftfd- rati! [■jr<:e8, n'SiillinK in drivinit the enemy back into th«ir works, after which the Union forces
withdr>_-w to tliitir t'irtifiedUnM. The Federal losses were about 1,200 in killed and wounded ; the Confed-
erate UiMM about l.TfJO.
0HABLB8 A. OEB,
fsBt tiiat he conld not attempt to return to his r^;iment
without risking detection. He therefore stepped behind a.
laige elm tree, and with his gun loaded and bayonet fixed
awaited their arrival. When they had come up to within
a distance of about twenty feet from him Smith stepped
from his place of hiding, faced the rebel squad and boldly
demanded their surrender. The Confederates were com-
pletely taken by surprise by the sudden and wholly unex-
pected appearance of a Union soldier, but, nevertheless,
showed little inclination to comply with the order. As
Smith with increased determination repeated his order,
an officer, the leader of the squad, inquired whether
there were any Federal troops in the vicinity and whether
he was able to enforce his demand for surrender.
Pointing to the direction of his regiment, Smith replied : " There is a whole
division of Union troops." At the same time he called to his comrades nearest to him
to come to his assistance. The rebels now realized that they had imprudently
strayed too close to the Union lines, and surrendered. Smith marched his prisoners
out of the woods to his regiment, on the way relieving the rebel color-bearer of the
Confederate flag. "I think," he observed facetiously, "I'll be the color-bearer for a
while."
His captain, George W. LaPoint, received him as he was marching his prisoners
into camp, with a broad smile. "What have you been doing, Lou? " he asked.
"Oh," Smith answered, "capturing a few prisoners and a flag."
The regiment remained in position, which was far in ad*
vance of the brigade to which it belonged, all day. In the
evening the brigade was withdrawn and an orderly was sent
out to notify Captain LaPoint to follow the brigade.
The orderly lost his way and failed to find the regiment,
which subsequently was cut off from the main body by the
advancing Confederates. Captain LaPoint and his brave men,
however, maintained their perilous position all night, and
starting out on their retreat early in the morning had to
fight every inch of the ground on their way. Their retreat
consumed over forty-eight hours, and had it not been for an
old negro who piloted them through along a circuitous route,
they would never have reached their destination. As it was
the regiment had many a narrow escape from annihilation
and more than once its capture seemed almost inevitable. At one time, when the
situation looked almost hopeless and Confederates were crowding about the regiment
from all sides, the men resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible, and above all
ALOHtO TOODBirrF.
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A THRILLING RIDE
BDWIH OOODRIOH,
lit Lieutenant, Co. D. Bth N. Y. Car.
nighestrankstttlDcd: Brevet- Major.
Bom In New York City Mnrch 25, IMS,
Tn November, 1864, on the field where the famous
* battle of Cedar Creek was foaght the preceding
month, occurred a most remarkable race for life and
liberty, one that speaks volumes for the hero and the
endurance of the man he rescued in this wild chase. A
squadron of the Ninth New York Cavalry, in command
of Lieutenant Edwin Goodrich, was ordered to proceed
up the Shenandoah Valley on a reconnoissance to ascer-
tain the whereabouts of the enemy. Soon after receiv-
ing his orders Lieutenant Goodrich had all in readiness,
his eighty men comprising the squadron eagerly await-
ing the command to march. Diligent search failed to
reveal any hostile forces until they had reached a place
not far from Strasburg, Va., where a large force was suddenly encountered. As soon as
Lieutenant Gooderich discovered the enemy's pickets he dispatched Sergeant Joseph
N. Foster with a few men to drive them in, he and the remainder of his squadron follow-
ing up in their support. The enemy observed this move and immediately sent a force
of 2,000 cavalry to the support of the pickets.
Goodrich had ordered the charge to learn the strength of the rebels, and, having
accomplished this, he sounded the retreat just in time to get a good start on the
approaching enemy. Foster, who was among the lastto fall back, felt his horse stag-
ger under him, from the effects of a wound, so he slipped out of the saddle and started
on the retreat afoot. The horse, however, gathered himself together and overtook
the fleeing men, whereupon Foster again mounted him. The wounded animal
carried his man but a short distance at a rapid gait; then he began to lose ground
and finally brought up the rear of the column, where, exhausted, he fell, pinning
his rider to the ground.
Goodrich saw Foster's plight and wheeling about he went to his assistance and
hastily pulled him from under the wounded horse, leaving a boot behind. Having
freed Foster, he immediately remounted ; none too soon, however, for the enemy
were upon them, and spurring his charger on he dashed away with Foster clinging to
the horse's tail. Goodrich reached back, took Foster by the hand and brought him
alongside where he could get a good hold on his collar, and in this way almost
carried him by main strength, running him and encouraging him to keep up.
For six miles he carried and dragged him, with the enemy in close pursuit, firing,
cursing and ordering him to surrender. The 2,000 pursuing cavalrymen and their
rain of bullets, their shooting and their commands to surrender could not induce
Goodrich to loose his hold on his comrade's collar. Awkward as the additional
weight was, the gallant charger fled along the pike so swiftly that his rider felt
secure in their ultimate safety. But this gait could not be maintained, and shortly
after the enemy were fast closing in. At last one of Goodrich's men slowed down his
horse and dropped back to the assistance of the heroic lieutenant.
This young trooper rode alongside of Goodrich, bringing Foster, who by this time
.was completely exhausted, between the two horses, and while still in full flight they
managed with much difficulty to swing him on the trooper's horse.
Twelve miles were covered by these brave horsemen before the rebels gave up
their chase, and so completely was Foster exhausted that when Winchester was
reached he had to be taken to the hospital.
During this exciting retreat, when exhaustion overcame Foster, he had begged
Goodrich to leave him to his fate, as he could no longer keep tip. But Goodrich
could not be induced to loose his iron grasp on him. After all were safely within
the Union lines Goodrich remarked : " Had the pursuers overtaken us while I was
extricating Foster, there would have been little danger of our being taken prisoners,
for the enemy were bunched .so closely together in the narrow pike, and were
coming on with such impetus, that we would have been trampled to death."
A REBEL CHARGE THAT FAILED
THE following vivid description by Sergeant Henry F.
W. Little, of Company D, Seventh New Hampshire
Infantry, shows how much depends on the personal brav-
ery of the individual soldier in repulsing a charge of the
enemy, and also illustrates the futility of a bayonet chaise
against a body of men well entrenched and armed with
repeating rifles.
" It was early on the morning of October 7, 1864," the
sergeant says, " that our troops on the north side of the
James Ri'/sr^Va., were aroused. We were quickly ordered
into line to repel an attack. We found the cavalry under
General Kautz coming toward us pell-mell, hotly pursued
by the Confederates. We were at once advanced, the lines
formed and thus we waited the onslaught
"Our line was without breastworks or protection of any kind and the Confeder-
ates pushed up to within a few rods of us. Onr force was not large and our lines
Bom &t Uancbpeter, K. I
rH
The little squad moved forward with great precision. The slight elevation of
the land helped considerable in prevepting the enemy from seeing the advance
until the men were directly opposite the abandoned guns, partly screened by a
fringe of low bushes. The guns were surrounded by dead and mangled men and
horses, who had fallen in their defense. Lieutenant Bennett urged on his brave
men to quick and concentrated action. Delay meant death. The men fully ap-
preciated the situation and obeyed like machines. At the "rally" they sprang for-
ward and seized the nearest gun. Lieutenant Bennett kept a watchful eye upon the
Confederates, less than 200 yards distant. When he saw by their movements that
they were about to fire their own guns he shouted to his men, " Down ! " and they
all dropped to the ground. A second later a shower of grape and canister went
whizzing and shrieking over their heads. Instantly they sprang to their feet
again, seized the trailer of one of the guns and dragged it safely to the Union lines.
To secure the second was a more dangerous operation, for the enemy was aware of
the movement and prepared to give Bennett's detachment a warm greeting.
After resting his men a few moments Bennett again ordered an advance. Just
before the Coafederates fired he commanded his men to drop, which they did as
promptly and neatly as before. Before the smoke cleared away the gallant colored
soldiers wery dragging the gun out of danger.
Then Lieutenant Bennett and his men made a dash for the third gun, repeating
the same tactics of dropping as the Confederates fired, and succeeded in landing it
safely within the Union lines amid yells of disappointment from the enemy and
cheers of enthusiastic approval from the Union troops.
In performing this daring deed, only one of Lieutenant Bennett's men was
wounded and none killed, and the achievement was the more brilliant by reason of
the fact that a previous attack to save the guns had ended in a failure and cost a
heavy loss to the command which made the attempt.
4
eight o'clock it was evident that at least a Corps of Hood's Army was formed in line
of battle, facing the turnpike, and at a near distance of but little more than half a
mile from it. It was determined to push our way to Franklin. At one o'clock in
the morning of the 30th the train commenced to pull out. The number of wagons,
including artillery and ambulances, was about 800. At the very starting point they
had to pass singly over a bridge, and it was exceedingly doubtful whether the train
could be put on the road by daylight. Unless this could be done, and the corps put
in motion, we were sure of being attacked by daylight and compelled to fight un-
der every disadvantage. I was strongly advised to burn the train and move on with
the troops and such wagons as could be saved, but I determined to make an effort
to save the train. My staff officers were busily engaged hurrying up teamsters and
everything promised well when we were again thrown into despair by the report
that the train had been attacked north of Thompson's Station and its progress
had been stopped altogether. It was now three o'clock in the morning. General
Kimball was directed to push on with the First Division and clear the road. Gen-
eral Wood's Division had covered the road and was directed to move on, keeping off
the road and on the right flank of the train, and General Wagner's Division, al-
though wearied by the fighting of the day before, was detailed to bring up the rear.
Before Kimball's Division could reach the point at which the train was attacked
Major Steele, of my staff, had gotten up a squad of our stragglers and driven off the
rebels, who had succeeded in burning about ten wagons.
" The trains moved on again, and at about five o'clock I had the satisfaction of see-
ing the last wagon pass the small bridge. The entire corps was on the road before
daylight. The rebel cavalry was in possession of all the hills to our right, and made
numerous demonstrations upon our flank, but were easily driven off.
" From one o'clock until four in the afternoon the enemy's entire force was in sight
and forming for attack ; yet, in view of our own strong positions and reasoning from
the former course of the rebels during this campaign, nothing appeared so improb-
able as that they would assault. I felt so confident in this belief that I did not leave
General Schofield's headquarters until the firing commenced. About four o'clock
the enemy advanced with his whole force, at least two corps, making a bold and
persistent assault. When Wagner's Division fell back from the heights south of
Franklin, Opdycke's Brigade was placed in reserve in rear and Lane's and Conrad's
Brigades were deployed in the front of our main line. Here the men, as our men
always do, threw up a barricade of rails. By whose mistake I cannot tell, these
brigades had orders not to retire to the main line until forced to do so by the fight-
ing of the enemy. The consequence was that the brigades stood their ground until
' the charging rebels were almost crossing bayonets with them, but the line then
broke and men and officers made the quickest time they could to our main lines.
The old soldiers all escaped, but many of the conscripts, being afraid to run under
fire, were captured. A large proportion of the men came back with loaded mus-
kets, and turning at the breastworks fired a volley into the pressing rebels, not ten
stops from them. The part of the Twenty-third Corps stationed in the works broke
and ran to the rear with the fn^tivea from Conrad's Brigade. To add to this dis-
order, the ctiissona of the two hatteries in the works galloped rapidly to the rear and
the enemy appeared on the breastworks and in possession of the two batteries, which
they commenced to turn upon as.
"It was at this moment that I arrived on the scene of disorder. The moment
was critical beyond any I have known in any battle. Colonel Opdycke's Brigade was
lying down abont 100 yaxda in the rear of the works. I rode quickly to the left of
tiie brigade and called to them to charge ; at the same time I saw Colonel Opdycke
near the centre of his line urging his men forward. I gave the Colonel no order, as
I saw him engaged in doing the very thing to save us, vi2., to get possession of onr
line again. The retreating men commenced to rally. I heard old soldiers call ont:
*Come on, men ; we can go wherever the general can ! '
"KaMng a rush our men immediately retook all our line, excepting a small por-
tion Jnst in front of a brick house on the pike. Here a rebel force held out and for
fifteen or twenty minutes poured in a severe fire upon our men. So deadly
was the fire that it was only by the most strenuous exertions of the officers that cor
men could be kept to the line. Our exertions, however, succeeded, and in twenty
minutes our front was comparatively clear of rebels, who fell back. Just after the
retaking of the lines by our troops, as I was passing toward the left to General Cox's
position, my horse was killed, and no sooner had I regained my feet than I received
a musket ball through the back of my neck. My wound, however, did not prevent
my keeping the field, and General Cox kindly furnished me a remount. One hnnd-
red wagon loads of ammunition, artillery and musket cartridges were expended in
this short battle.
"In the evening it was determined to withdraw to Nashville and the troops were
directed to leave the line at midnight. Some villain came very near frustrating
this plan by firing a house in Franklin ; the flames soon spread, and the prospect
was that a large fire would occur, which, lighting up objects, would make it impos-
sible to move the troops without being seen. My own and General Wood's staff
officers found an old fire engine, and getting it at work soon had the flames subdned,
the darkness now being intensified by the smoke. At midnight the withdrawal was
made successfully and the march to Nashville continued without interruption. Onr
men were more exhausted, however, than I have ever seen them on any occasion ;
many of them were overtaxed, broke down on the march and fell into the hands of
the enemy, and altogether we were glad when our destination — Nashville — was
&iBlly reached."
OVER FIVE BARRICADES
D In LeilnR
/~^ ENESAL Wheelkb's position at Waynesboro, Ga., at the
^~-* beginnrng of December, 1864, was chosen with the ut-
most caution in the roughest and most inaccessible locality
with a special view of affording protection against a sabre
chaise. General Kilpatrick was ordered to pursue Wheeler
and engage him wherever he would meet him. In com-
pliance with this order the Federal cavalry leader moved
on to Waynesboro Road, and on December 4 engaged Gen-
DAVID L. oooKLET. ^^j Whseler's rebel forces. The Confederates had dismounted
nnt LlPulfnant.Co. L,l<nh , , , . , , ., , . ,
obioc«Y«ir7. ajid were behind heavy rail barricades.
EigliesC rank stUtlned :
Lewil*l"n o jDn« -^^^ Federal troops were preparing for the attack and were
*•**■ anxiously waiting for the charge to be sounded. The com-
manding officer of one of the cavalry regiments had just been wounded when First
Lieutenant Dj^vid L. Cockley, acting aide-de-camp to General S. D. Atkins, brought
the instruction to make the charge. Noting the hesitation of the troops. Lieutenant
Cockley asked for permission to lead this regiment. The request was at first
refused. General Atkins preferring to have the young lieutenant at bis side so as to
be able to use his valuable services. Cockley felt chagrined. Again, and still more
urgently, he made the request. " I need your services," Colonel Atkins repeated and
again refused. For a third time Cockley repeated his request and so earnestly
pleaded to be allowed to participate in the fight that the colonel could no longer re-
sist and yielded to the wishes of his brave aide-de-camp. The charge was sounded.
The whole line moved forward in splendid order and never halted for one moment
until, in less than twenty minutes, five lines of barricades were taken and the
enemy were completely routed and driven back into the town of Waynesboro.
Here a countercharge stopped, for a short time, the advance of the Federals, but
soon another attack was made and the rebels were driven in wild confusion through
and out of the town. A most notable victory had been gained by the Federal cavalry
against a much stronger force.
Lieutenant Cockley was at the head of the regiment. When during the height
of the attack and after having passed the second barricade Captain S. E. Norton,
who commanded the first battalion, fell, mortally wounded, Cockley took his place
and gallantly led the men to victory. No more than five of his brave followers
were left with him when he finally stopped his dash. His conduct earned for him
the Medal of Honor, especially since only two weeks prior to this battle he had
achieved a feat in a battle episode which attracted the attention of his superior
officers.
The Second Brigade, Third Cavalry Division, to which the Tenth Ohio Cavalry
belonged, had left Marietta and was on the road to Bear Creek Station, Ga., pursuing
Wheeler's cavalrymen. On November IStii, while near East Point, the brigade com-
mander, Colonel Atkins, sent Lieutenant Gockley ahead to select a locality suitable
for camp purposes. This had been done by Cockley, who was returning to his lines
when he suddenly found the road blocked by four rebels. With quick determina-
tion the lieutenant gave the command to charge to hia orderly, his only companion,
and made a dash for the Confederates, who were so completely surprised that they
threw up their hands in token of surrender when ordered to do so. Cockley
marched them to headquarters to receive the expressions of appreciation and con-
gratulations from the colonel.
"I, WAS MAD AS A HORNET"
nOHAZL SOWSBS,
PrlTSle, Company J.. Fourth FeDaByl-
Bom In PIttsbuig. Pa.. Sept. 11, ISH.
I NciTED by the loss of his horse Private Michael Sowers,
' of Company L, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, fought
at Stony Creek Station, Va., December 1, 1864, with such
fury and rage that he attracted general attention, and,
being one of the first to storm the enemy's stronghold,
became the hero of the day.
" It was like this," Private Sowers says in telling of
the incident; "my regiment and the Sixteenth Penn-
sylvania Cavalry were marched dortn the public road
to a distance of about 500 yards from the fort, which
was built of mud and logs. Then we separated, the
Sixteenth going to the right, we to the left, to make
a simultaneous attack. We charged. All of a sudden my horse dropped forward
on his knees to rise no more. That was the third horse killed under me within a
short time, I was mad as a hornet and, resolving to make some rebels pay for this
last loss, slipped off the back of the gallant little animal, took my Spencer and,
running ahead of the encircling cavalry, made for the fort. Of course, I had no
right to do that; but I was enraged and had but one object in view, to get even with
those infernal Johnnies who were killing my horses. ^ lot of grape and canister
came my way, but not close enough to injure me, so on I went right into the fort.
1 do not claim that I was the first one to enter upon rebel ground — I was too ex-
cited to look about me. I do know, however, that I was one of the first, and that as
soon as I was inside of the fort I emptied my gun into the rebels with telling effect
The Sixteenth Pennsylvania stormed the fort from the other side, and together we
made ourselves masters of the rebel stronghold."
On the iBt of December, 18W, Grant sent Geuenl Gregg's cavalry on a reconnoiaBance to discover
whether the enemy were moving troopa south. Gregg captured Stony Creefc SUtion, Ta., that day,
burning 8,000 sacks of corn, 500 bales of hay, a train of cars, and a large amount of a^pmunition, and
brought oS 190 prisoners, while his own loM was very biuaU.
WHERE OTHERS SKULKED. HE
STOOD HIS GROUND
H-
|i stood manfnUj at his poet." TUs vplendid i
is quoted from the records lelann^ to the amri oi
the Uecal of Honor to Corponl Samnel J. ChrnddH, d
Companv G. Second lUinoU Light AitilletT.
He wen i; IVcember 15. IS^ when GenetKl '
made an attack upon the rebel army under G^oocal ]
near yafhTlIIe, Term.
The tatterr to which Chorchlll belonged waa in pomlam
on hizh ^r:t}tiQd. '2<» janis frcm and directlr in frait of fl*
rewl battery. Chup.'hill himself oommanded
pound Nii>oleoa gun served by ei^ht men. The C^tifederates worked t
with ■ifiidlyaccara«:y. several men ani horses bein^ killed before Churchill's Daitai
suweeded in taking the desired pcsLiion — a few feet to the right of a large haA
house.
The 2ri:i^ 'joctmaed and seeme*! :o LnTP^Lkjc botii in freqnencr and cer^untr ol
aim. Bu? now the I'oioa Batteries opened azid replied as effectiTeiy as that of the
aoemy.
Ac Chorciiill's gnn a cannoaeer as the command of ** Load '** took tfao ^ange-
staff. sponged the gun and waited for his comrade to coma up with the cartaddga.
Just then a vollt^y from the rebel cactery eoshroaded the gun and ths wattang caa-
Qoneer became panic-stricken. H'^ droppe<l his spooge-^caJ and ran behind the
brick house. His terror spread to the other <:aii:ioneers and tiiey likswiaB fled.
leaving tiie corvonil alone at his post, y^ither eacreacy nor command cooM in-
duce the men :o rjturn. Btic Chur'.'iiill never wavered. Regardless of the rain irf
shot iiid sii>:II he stuck to his place and assumed the duties and ftmctiaiis of his
sk'ilkiuj^ <:ommand. He loaded and nred his -fia eleven times wicaont any aamt
ance whatev-er. thereby helping to silence the Confederate Battery and efmtiSMlt
ing his jhare tu the i-orioos acaievemenia oi the Union Army of chac day.
WHEN THE REBELS WERE ROUTED
AT NASHVILLE
KARIOR T. AHDBEBOH.
lum at Clarksburg. Indian*.
'X'hb second day of the battle of Nashville, Tenn., De-
^ cember 16, 1864, which resulted in the complete
victory of the Federal armies, began with a concerted
attack in the afternoon all along the lines upon the for-
tified position of the enemy. Colonel P. Sidney Post,
commanding the Second Brigade, Third Bivision, was
ordered to charge the Confederate right at Overton Hill.
and upon receipt of the order at once led his troops to the
a.ssault. "When within about 100 yards of the enemy's works the
gallant colonel was shot, and his men, thinking their leader killed,
became terror-stricken and dropped to the ground. Two advanced
lines of Colonel Abel D. Straight's Brigade came up and reaching
the prostrate troops followed their example, likewise dropping to
the ground. Next came the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, led by
Captain Marion T. Anderson. As he came upon the preceding
troops he asked some of the officers why their men were lying down. The reply
was: "Becanse those in our front did the same thing."
"Why don't you order them up and forward ? " Captain Anderson inquired.
" We have ; but they won't go," was the answer.
"Well," Captain Andei^on observed, "I won't lie down here. I will take my
men forward and obey orders."
He gave the order: "Charge bayonets; double-
quick." And away he led his men over the bodies of
the prostrate troops, up the hill and against the enemy's
last line of works on the crest, forcing the rebels to
abandon half of their guns and retreat in utter con-
fusion.
While riding at the head of his regiment the brave
captain was struck by a sharpshooter's bullet, and
severely wounded, fell almost into the abandoned and
captured trenches.
The attack on the Confederate left was made by the
troops commanded by Generals A. J. Smith and John
M. Schofield, and resulted in gaining possession of the
Granny White Pike and cutting off the enemy's retreat.
This assault, too, was met by the Confederates with a tremendous fire of grape
and canister and mnsketry, and put the bravery of the Union men to hard test
Several incidents occurred which attracted general attention and won praise for the
heroes of the entire Federal Army.
WILLIAM T. SiraONS.
Flnt Ueotenant Co. C, lltb MUaonri
Infantr;.
Boni In OrMn Connty, III.. Jannaiy
One of these incidents is related by First Lieutenant TVilliani T. Simmon=. -
Compiiny C, Eleventh Missouri Infantry : "Our dirision was massed to the ri;<Q* '
Granny White Pike — the ilireot route from N'a.-;hville to Fninklin — about 4"" y;ir
in front at Ilood''* <.'enrer. My resiiment was in our sei'oad line about four o ^'i-»
in the afternoon. Jnsr hefoi-e tbe assault all the boy- in my r-ompany a.-^ n-e!i
Tni-'\:i.ii -
Ml' ■;:!■!• '.
t"-'-'-' 1 -
le ri.'uMiieu"
' rne sRAwe CAPTAIN wAa sthuck."
myself were commenting apoa a
Confederate tiag i the stars and bars
planted on the enemy's entxenchmen:
directly in our front. Several of a?
had remarked, banteriagly. that we wonli:
have the flag before dark, when the order came
to asisantt. Frorn rhu fi^'!rn*(!»iir wb had been binder
ii"i' I ■! ir-.I. •■!■;-. ^>ut as we starred
VI V I--; I :■; ' .-.■;i;iih -oiiiewhat !irxik-?n
.^- I,...- ■.,-,..„.,■ -■,11-u-a.rd iiii.I. pu..-=->i:i:r
■'.- ■;■:■■'• ■!-■ ■■.■i.^-:i;!i :eli. [ was L-^rt
■■■■ '- ' •■ ■ "-''r [ spnini; to zhe
■ ''■^~ ■■'■ :-■ an esi-epritiually
- ■ - V -i-. lii.i demanded the
-■■'■'■ .:/'"[ -o r-iu avvay mrh the
L.; ; .:ei-i'.u- iecnring the dag,"
:ietivy nr".' i
; Mirnedia:..'
UNDER THE EYES OF HIS COMMANDER
NO LESS a personage than Major-General James H. Wilson was the sponsor for
the distinction bestowed upon First Lieutenant Joseph S. Hedges, of whom he
says: "He was as good a soldier as I ever knew and would never ask his men to
go where he did not actually lead them."
Lieutenant Hedges was a member of the Fourth U, S, Cavalry, and at Little
Harpeth River, Tenn., on the evening of December 17, 1864, under the direction
and personal observation of General Wilson, made a charge upon a rebel force
which elicited the admiration of the Union commander, who after the battle "took
great pleasure " in commending the lieutenant and personally secured for him the
Medal of Honor.
The general himself gives this version of the noted charge :
" It was directed straight against a field battery in action at the center of the
line of infantry in line of battle and was one of the best and most successful charges
of cavalry it was ever my fortune to witness. Lieutenant Hedges, serving as my
escort, rode along, leading his gallant regiment down the turnpike head-on against
the battery, broke through it, sabred the gunners, captured or caused the abandon-
ment of three guns, and continued his pursuit, spreading terror and confusion among
the enemy until stopped by darkness. It is the only case I know of in which a
cavalry regiment charged and broke through a Confederate line of battle composed
of infantry and artillery in action and captured the guns."
'WE WILL, LIEUTENANT; WE WILL"
EYE-WITNESSES pronounce the feat of First Lieutenant
William H. Walling at Fort Fisher, N. C, Decem-
ber 25, 1865, as among the most daring achievements of
the entire campaign. The lieutenant's superiors and
generals commanding were especially profuse in their
commendation of his bravery, from Major-General Ben-
jamin F. Butler, Brigadier-General A. Ames, Brevet
Brigadier-General N. W, Curtis, Major-General
Godfrey Weitzel to Lieutenant-Colonel Albert M.
Barney, of the One hundred and forty-second New
York Infantry, of which organization Lieutenant
Walling was a member. General Curtis even went
so far as to say that it was "one of the most gallant
exploits of the war." In fact, in view of the nniversal praise, Lieutenant Walling's
deed stands out boldly as the one redeeming feature in an otherwise unfortuna^
undertaking, as the first attempt to take Fort Fisher has been characterized.
WILLUH B. wAixnta,
Flrat LiPHHrnBnt.Co. C.H2d
New York Infiinlrj.
HlBbcst rank atlBlned: Ll-Col.
Bum M HarUord. N. Y.,
Sept. B, 1880.
hiL^h i-i'lief. a « ii
uys iVueral "Weitzel, "was a square haationed work: it had a
tiiil 'liH'it ilircb. exccprinir on rlie sea frout, a glai'is. fafemen',:
anil bomb-proofssuffitMPnrly larse
to hold ira garrison. T counrei
deveuteen giiiis in position l,>ear-
ini^ up the l)eacli and befn-*?en
each pair of giins there was a
tnivcrse so thit'k and jso lii:i::
abnre the parapet that I had no
doubt they wpre all bomb-proofe.
A .sro4*kade ran from the norrheaat
an;:le of the coanters<.*arps of the
work.-! to the water's t^dae ou The
aea--i<le.
"The expedition, led by i>eii-
eral Butler, with a ioi-ci.; <jt ti.~.t<*:
embarketl at Bennuda Hnndreii.
Va.. tor Foitres.s Moni*oe. De<'eu:-
berSfh. lu order to inirilead 'h^
Confedernre sconta and siirna-
men as to the real objet^t of the
movement, the Beet (rarrj'ing the
ti-oops rook up one direi-tiou dur-
ing rhe day and a diilereut one
at niirlir. and on December 24th
'-•ante in sight of Fort Fi:?Iier.
-.iiere "he naral deet under Xi-
jiirai [''iiTerwaii already engtiired
in bimiliarding it, A:ii>ut noou
tlie fiiUowing day the trnon?.
xrndfV i-<iv.'r of the ;jiinbi>at--.
.'.Tw'.'.l a funding, tienenil Cur-
tis at 'Uii-e pushed up bis bn-
■_'aiie ""(I -virhiu a feu" hnndre«i
;anls .>[ the fort, captured a
-■■■''el VMi-iv. called Haif-iloon
y,,i'. -■Miiraiuing -j, 2U-pounder
_"ii!, a;L-i >"aptured about l'.".'
i!„';i.ii ■- Main line of skirmi^-hers
i'-i::r^ auiicher important out-
■it.- nne '"hat this advance was
—471 —
made the navy kept up a very heavy and well directed assault, which, however, did
little material damage to the fortification. The rebels were nowhere in sight, but
kept in their casements as long as the shells were being thrown from the Union
vessels. At the same time the fire prevented the troops from further advancing
and attempting to storm the works. The minute, however, the navy would cease
throwing shells, the rebels would emerge from their places of safety, mount the
parapets, work their guns and pour such withering fire upon the Federals that all
further progress was stopped and the help and aid of the naval fleet had to be called
in again, when the Confederates would immediately withdraw to their bomb-proofs."
Three companies of the One hundred and forty-second New York Infantry
were in this most advanced line of skirmishers, and the leading company, C, was
commanded by the aforementioned Lieutenant Walling.
" I was just stationing my men," he says in describing the most interesting inci-
dent of the attack, " being ordered to protect them from the fire of the fieet, and
had them scoop out the sand and make gopher holes to lie in, when a large shell
from one of the monitors struck the ground near us, ploughing a trench so deep that
some of our men took refuge therein, the shell ricochetting into the river beyond.
Another shot from the fieet cut down the Confederate fiag on the fort.
"I said to my men : 'I'll go and get the fiag; you keep a sharp lookout for the
rifiemen on the works. Let every man have his gun in position to fire/
"* We will. Lieutenant ; we will !' came the response from my men as with one
voice. I started off. I had gone but a few steps when one of the great monitoi
shells passed in front of me and exploded before reaching the river. I confess I
was frightened, and for an instant halted involuntarily, stunned by the fearful crash.
But, quickly recovering my wits, I proceeded and came to a place where a shell had
cut a hole in the palisade a little to the left of the fiag. Through this opening 1
entered, passed along toward the river, gained the parapet, secured the fiag and re-
turned, uninjured as I had gone, to the picket line."
And thus was Lieutenant Walling the only Union man who in that expedition
had set his foot upon the rebel stronghold.
First Assault on Fort Fisher, N. C«— During the latter part of December, 1864, an expedition composed
of naval and military forces sailed from Hampton Hoads to gain the harbor of Wilmington, N. C, and
reduce its chief defense, Fort Fisher.
Admiral Porter was in command of the naval forces, with Greneral Butler in command of the land
forces. The latter conceived the idea of blowing up an old vessel loaded with 235 pounds of powder,
directly in front of the fort, with a view of throwing the enemy into confusion and then attacking the fort.
The powder boat was towed to its position, and on the night of the 23d the fuse ignited ; but the result,
instead of being a gigantic explosion, was only a blaze lighting the heavens. Very little concussion was
felt, and all that could be heard was a dull detonation.
On the 26th the troops were landed and pushed close to the fort, but Butler failed to move with
energy, feeling that the works could not be carried by assault, and deliberately abandoned the enterprise
and returned to Fortress Monroe with his troops the following day.
»•-
C~:-- .mt?
— 478 —
On the 14th entrenchments were dug, breastworks reaching from the river to the
sea constructed and covered by abatis and a firm foothold on the peninsula secured.
The assault was planned for the following day at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. In the
meantime Admiral Porter was to pour a steady and destructive fire into the fort
and demolish the palisades as much as possible, and furnish an opening for the
advancing troops. Accordingly the admiral's guns began to roar at sundown and
continued all night. Early the following morning, January 15th, all of the vessels,
except a division left to aid in the defense of the northern line, moved into position
and a fire, magnificent alike for its power and accuracy, was opened upon the fort.
Under the protection of this fire General Terry manoeuvred and moved his troops
in preparation for the great final assault so skillfully that toward the afternoon he
had a body of 100 daring sharpshooters, sheltered in pits, within 175 yards of the
enemy's works, firing at the parapets of the fort. Another and much larger body of
troops was brought up to within 475 yards of the fort.
Shortly after 3 o'clock, all arrangements having been completed, the signal for
the attack was given. Admiral Porter, as agreed, at once changed the direction of
his fire and thus diverted the enemy's attention from the main points of attack.
The troops sprang from their trenches and, exposed to a severe fire from the fort,
dashed forward at double-quick. The ground over which they passed was marshy
and difficult, but they soon reached the palisades, passed through them and effected
a lodgment on the parapet. At the same time a column of sailors and marines
advanced up the beach and attacked the northeastern bastion, but was met with such
a murderous fire that it was unable to get up the parapet and after a severe struggle
and heavy loss was compelled to withdraw.
A foothold having been secured on the parapet troops were sent to re-enforce the
advanced lines, and slowly but irresistibly the rebels were driven from one position
after the other. Hand-to-hand fighting of the most desperate character took place,
the huge traverses of the land face being used successively by the enemy as breast-
works, over the tops of which the contending parties fired in each others' faces.
Nine of these traverses were carried by the attacking force. The fire of the navy
upon that portion of the works not captured by the Federals continued until about
dusk, when the two remaining traverses were carried and — the fort was captured ;
captured with all its surviving defenders, about 2,000 officers and men, including
Major-General Whiting and Colonel Lamb, the commandant of the fort. In addition
large quantities of ammunition and commissary stores fell into the victors' hands.
The scenes toward the close of the battle were indescribably horrible. Great
cannon lay in ruins, surrounded by the bodies of their defenders ; men were found
partly buried in graves dug by the shells which had slain them. The outlines of
the works could now and then be seen by the flash of an exploding shell or the blaze
of musketry, but indistinct as the creation of some hideous dream. Soldiers were
falling everywhere, shot in the head by rifle-balls. There was no outcry ; simply a
spurt of blood and all was over. But death does not always come in this way. There
— 474 —
arose now and then an agonizing clamor of wounde<l men, writhing in t±Le sand,
beseeching rhosH) near them to end their snffehng. A «?olor-i)earer had fallen, and
though fhoked by blood and sand, he murraureil : " [ am gone. Take the tiai?.'* An
otiieer wtio had been shot through rhe heart retained a nearly erect position* leaning
against a j:un-4.'arriage. Some lay face down^vard^in the sand, and others vvho had
l)een t;iose together when .'Struck by an exploding shell had fallen in a confnsed
mass. lormiug a mingled heap of broken limbs and mangled bodies. At times a grim
and uncanny humor cseizes a wounded man. Captain A. d. liawrence. of 'xeneral
Ame^^' stuff, lay on his back : one arm had been amputated, and the other arm as
well as liis aeck was pierced by riile-balls. He had told the (rhaplain to \vrite bis
father riiat he ''ouid not live, and then. <'alling another officer ro him. whispered, as
he held up rhe stump of liis amputated arm : '• Isn't this a devil of a i)ob-tail tin^h .' "
Thac rhere were many dee^is of extraortlinary merit and valor performed l>y the
men wiio won one of the most l)rilliant successes tif the war i£oes without savimc
However, rhe <.'onduct of First Lieutenant John Wainwright of Company F. Ninety-
seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, in command of the three hundred men of his resd-
luent who participated in the exi)e<lition. Private Zachariah C. Xeahr of <7onipany
K. One humired and forty-iecond Xew York Infantry, ^xeneral X. M. <7iirri:g and
Coiouei 'iaiui?ha Penny packer, of rhe Xiuery-^eventh Pennsylvania Infantry, was so
conspicuous as ro earn for rhem rhe Medial of Honor.
Brevet Brigadier-* ienerai <.' arris, though in command of rhe First Brinade.
Second Division. Twenty-fourth .U-my Lorps. ^o«>k ap a musket, and. steppini^ into
the ranks. led his men in each of the assaults, )ravin^ the storm of rebel shot and
shell. riiH miform of a ■>riiradier-irenenil in :"he i-anks made him a «.*onspicuous
oi>ie<T ;Lud nie i-eneis «.'Oucent:nite<l rheir rire ipou him. woimding hini three times.
The>e vnunds. 'n'wever. iid not ierer "he j:enenLi. aud he foairht rhrouahout the
remainder »f "he iay, until siiortiy )efore dark, when he tell. wounde«i a foiirth
ritut:*. LM«i -o <cvereJy :hat :ie had -o -'e 'arried ro "ht* rear.
• 'iiuri^rl Vinivpacke?'. '•oiunian'iiu:^ *iie sec«»ud ^ri^nide of "he same tiivision, like*
wise -rifi.Hinitred "us men by [.^ersouaily '.eauiii^ rlitrm. He had :railantly ie«l them
ro :iie *iiird ^ntver^e and with rhe '.'oiors of .,ue of his regiments in hand was the
rinjt ro ;!M>»iLir it. .Vniidst a hail '.»f "he euemy"< uiilers he 'iniveiy nianted theooiots
i>u *:tn:?ir \orKi?. MU ^vhiie iom^j "his he was -♦^vpr^-iv -vounded. Lieutenant Wain-
wriiir»». t^'ii^riaudiuy: rhe Niuery-seventh i^e?iu>vivauia lutantry. also displayed
wnuder".:: -ttunii^e in leadiu;^ :iis ..•ey:i!iienr, '*veu iiter le was severely wounded in
"he a^^auir. lie :»iuckuy 'M)iiceaitr»i :T«>rii us -iieri "he Main he ^vas suffering and with
»vuevved I'litrr^y le ed *'herri on h) vicrnry, -enniii: "o "he hospital only after the
■iuv'< :i:;Mur!L: xas iOtie.
:''*'.Mi'»:- NciLiir, 'viM.» ;iad oiunieert^u '\ith .i .ii:mL'er'»f others «>f hiarejfiment to cut
Mif vai>u.i.;".:;i, 'UMied :[.> mead •>( ':i^ *«>Iu!m!i hA vm "lie ire of the enemy con-
ceiuraica ;i-«"i .:»■:!. 'nz '' :0'aii. "ims ■M:j.:.'i:::;^ ■ ce •.ic?.saLi::::i;f uiumn to
AT THE BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS.
RISKED BEING BLOWN TO ATOMS
AT DUTCH GAP CANAL
It was at the beginning of January, 1865. General Butler,
VALTES THOSH,
Iln(Uen[„U.B.ColoTedlDf.
Hlgbest rank attained:
^tOT. Major Voll,
BoralnBrooklrn.N.T.,
^^~K ^^^H^^^H '' commanding the Army of the James, was expected to reach
]f '^■'^^^^HPB ^^^ capture Bichmond by operating on the south side of the
l[t»-^^^^^^BnH James River. His movements were blocked by the sinking of
iL ^^^^^^^^^ obstructions which rendered it impossible for him to navigate
P / ,' the stream, and by a powerful Confederate battery at French
Beach.
To overcome these difficulties the resourceful Butler had
caused a canal to be cut through the Dutch Gap peninsula, so
that the enemy's batteries could be flanked and the obstructions
in the river passed by the navy.
Nothing remained to be done but remove the great earthen bulkhead that sepa-
rated the two bodies of water. This had been sapped and galleried, and more powder
was packed away in it than was used in blowing up the famous "Crater" at Peters-
bui^. The main body of troops had been drawn off from the neighborhood of the
vast mine for safety, and it was supposed that none had been left behind but the few
whose duty it was to light the fuse and then escape.
The supreme moment had arrived. The fuse had been lighted, and the officers
were standing in a group at a safe distance discussing the question whether the
work was to be crowned with success.
A member of General Butler's staff galloped up and shouted excitedly :
" Has the guard opposite the bulkhead been withdrawn ? "
Somebody answered, hardly articulately, rather vrith a sort of gasp :
"No!"
There was a score of men in the guard. There were tons of powder beside them.
Fire was eating its way up the fuse and might at any second set loose the terrific
force of the mine.
The bravery of the officers before whose minds those thoughts flashed could not
be doubted — it had been proved too often for that — but to go and warn the squad
seemed so utterly beyond reason, so surely a useless throwing away of another life,
that they stood there rigid and pale, with one exception — Walter Thorn, flrst
lieutenant of the U. S. Colored Infantry, who hesitated, but only long enough to
form a resolve. Then he dashed off in the direction of the bulkhead.
Perceiving his intention, his fellow officers called to him to return — warned him,
pleaded with him. Paying no heed, he ran on, reached the bulkhead, climbed to
its summit, faced the storm of ballets that the rebels directed at him, and stood
there until he had ordered the picket guard to flee to a place of safety.
He leaped from the top of the mine : the explosion took place ; the earth was
scattered in all 'lirectiona aud a great abyss remained, hub the young lieutenant
was iinharmed.
"It was as delihenite an airt at* .self-Hacrifice and valor as was ever performed in
onr 'Tounti-y or any other." ^aid one of hia superior offitrers.
ONLY ONE MAN LOST LN A GALLANT RAID
wnUAK J. FAZJOB.
T T^TiSQ driven Hood from ^fashville. ileneral Thomas
^ * lost no time in sending detachments of cavalry
3iter the fleeing Confederates, who, scattering in differ-
ent directions, were trying to find their respective ways *
back to Selina. Mol)ile or the Carolinas. Because of
continuoiis rains and subsequent bad roads, the pursuit
undertaken by the bodies of infantiy. as accessory to
the cavalry operations, was stopped early in January,
1865, at Eastport, Miss.
Among the forces of Union cavali-y thus sent to the
south was the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, in command
of Colonel William J. Palmer, he having been directed on
the 13th to march in pursuit of the rebel General Lyon,
who was thought to have crossed the Paint Uix'k River.
As most of hia horses were much fagge<i from a previous
eipeiiition. Colonel Palmer took with him ouly ISO men.
At -i A. il. on the 24rh. after having leameil that Lyon had passed through. "Warren-
ton and would probably bivouac the same nishtat Red Hill, Colonel Palmer started
for that place and ^iurpriseii his camp of 3oO men. One battalion of fifty men- in
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Lambom, had drst been detached to take one of
Lyon's regiments, which was encamped with its artillery near Red TTm, a second
battalion to tulte a camp of 1->1> men one mile from there, while Palmer and the
remaining battalion pushed on to capture Lyon, who was quartered with his staff
and escort at the house of Tom Noble, half a mile beyond. The adTance guard
reached Lyon's headquarters and captured him at the door of Noble'a hotise, in his
night clothes. The general surrendered to Sergeant Arthur P. Lyon while the
advance guard wa.-; charging tlie escort. Imt l.)egged permission to put on his panta-
loon:*, coat and boot:*, which Sergeant Lyon granted, accompanying him into the
bedroom for tbac purpose. ,Vt that moment: tii.? escorr tired a volley at the advance
guar*.!, when the scigcaut said: "Coiue. "teii-^ral, I can't allow yoa mtich more
time." The general then suddenly seized a pistol and shot the aei^eant, killing bim
Bora.KIiiacIkleF»im.K>iiiCa.,IM.,
instantly, and made his escape tphrongh the back door in the dark. Colonel Palmer
pushed on in the direction of other camp fires which could be seen ahead. These
proved to be at the artillery camp, where one regiment of the enemy had already
become alarmed by the firing and had saddled up and moved out, only to be
met by the battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel Lamborn, who at once attacked
them.
Colonel Palmer thus surprised General Lyon's superior force, routed him and
took over one hundred prisoners, a piece of artillery and munitions of war with the
loss o! only one man, Sergeant Lyon.
SWAM THE RIVER UNDER DIFFICULTIES
D"
DEiNG the siege of Petersburg, Va., which com-
menced with the investment of that city by the
Federal forces during the early part of June, 1864, it
became the aim of General Grant to flank the posi-
tion of the enemy by swinging to the left. In the
execution of this movement on Feb". 5, 1865, occurred
\ the action at Monk's Neck crossing of the Rowanty
\ River, Va., and the engagement at Hatcher's Run on
the following day.
Captain S. Rodmond Smith, of Company C, Fourth
Delaware Infantry, relates the following about this
afFair :
" To the Fifth Army Corps was assigned the duty
of initiating this movement, and the third brigade of
the second division of this corps was under arms, with
tents struck and three days' rations in their haver-
sacks, all the preceding night, and about sunrise on
the morning of the 5th was marching by the Halifax
Road to the west for Monk's Neck Crossing. About
eight o'clock A. M. the brigade was halted in the road
about a quarter of a mile east of our objective point:
""■''"™- It was ascertained that the bridge over the crossing
had been burned to prevent the passage of our troops, and that substantial entrench-
ments had been erected on the bluff bordering the margin of the stream on the
opposite side. A regiment of Pennsylvania " Bucktails," out of our brigade, was de-
tailed to cross the stream and carry the works. After some heavy firing the Buck-
tails were compelled to retire.
S. BODMORD BHITH,
CftptMn, Co. C. 4ih D«l. Inl
ElRhPst nnliaiulnfd ;
Brevet Major, U. 8. Vol!
Born »t Wllmlnnton, Del.,
DAVID S. BVOKIHaBAlt,
1st Lieut.. Co. E, Jlh Del. Inf.
nighpBt rank ■ttalned:
C&ptain. U.8. V.
Born at Flewunt Hill, Del..
"Our regiment, witji Major 1>. H. Kent in (■•ommand. was then detaQed for the
service, and iuiiaediiLtely moved down the road toward the crosniii)^. The groin>d
was tflightJj" i-olLiug tind opeu tirm-laDd, except near the bank of the Eticam,
where a thin skirt of trees bordertjd the river, affording Bome coxer. Major Kent.
fijodjjjg that the bridge w a* debiroyed. filed tie re^mieDt to ihe right, under hearj
fire, but bomevi hat protected by the trees. He then endeaT<ffed to lead the regiment
9cxos)^ the rivei'. but Ma* shot while Evimiiiiiig hie borwe and was carried to the rear.
■THE WATER PROVED TO 8£ OVER SIX FEEV DEEP."
" Tliere wim considerable floating ice in the stream, and the regiment, seeing the
deptli of the water, did not cross, but continued to move slowly to the right, keeping
u() a brisk tire on tho enemy. At n point some two or three hundred feet farther to
tlm iiKlit 1 observed sonu' ImshoH projecting from the water, and, thinking this an
iiidiciition thai the water was sliallow enough to wade, called on my command to
fiilluw iHf . and sprang into the stream. The water proved to be over six feet deep
witliin that distance fmm the f>hore, but I was a strong swimmer, and although
— 481 —
encumbered by a haversack belt and cape overcoat, succeeded in reaching a small
island in mid-stream, under a heavy plunging fire which splashed the water around
me. In the meantime the regiment moved cautiously forward among the scattered
trees to the right, and shortly after crossed the stream to the island upon the ice
which had formed during the preceding two days and nights and the fallen logs
frozen to the surface. From thence all hands slid and waded to the opposite shore
and we carried the enemy's entrenchments with a rush, capturing some fifty or sixty
rebels. The remainder of their forces had retired before we reached their works.
After a short time spent in re-forming the regiment we pushed ahead in quick time
until the evening and on the following day participated in the action at Hatcher's
Run, Virginia."
Lieutenant David E. Buckingham, also of the Fourth Delaware Regiment, had
an experience similar to that of Captain Smith, and describes it as follows :
"I was in command of Company E, on the extreme right of the regiment, and
the movement by the right flank threw me at the head of my command. As we
passed General Ayres, our Division Commander, I heard him say to Major Kent:
* You are expected to carry the bridge, if you lose every man! ' I knew that such an
order meant business, and as we broke into a double-quick and came under fire the
men gave a lusty cheer, and down the road we went with Major Kent riding at my
side. We reached the bridge only to discover that it had been effectually destroyed,
filed to the right, and as soon as we had cleared the road and were fairly in the
meadow filed to the left, and in a moment were at the water's edge.
" The general's command was ringing in my ears : * Carry the bridge if you lose
every man.' It was no time to hesitate or turn back. Three thousand men, our en-
tire brigade, lined the meadow lands, protected by the trees, and a terrible fusillade was
going on. I stepped on the ice, which extended only six feet from the shore. It broke
under my weight and I struck out for the rebel side and was soon beyond my depth,
but I swam to the south side, the Minie balls skimming the water all around me.
" Reaching the bank, I clutched a projecting stump root and took a view of the
situation from the water. Harvey Durnall, John Bradford and Holton Yarnall, of
my command, waded in up to their waists, but, discovering the depth of the stream,
fell back. In the meantime Major Kent had been dangerously wounded while
urging his horse into the water. The water was icy cold and I did not care to scale
the bank, as I was the only man of the command who crossed the river at the
bridge, having carried the ford, and the freezing question — not the burning one —
was, could I hold it ?
" There I remained, waiting for reinforcements, for at least fifteen minutes. But
our boys were not idle ; far up the stream they had been crossing on felled trees
and on the ice, and soon I heard them charging down the Confederate side. When
the enemy discovered they were flanked they beat a retreat and the bridge was ours.
■ " I reswam the river and dried my clothes beside a roaring fire which the boys
had made while the engineers rebuilt the bridge."
VALOROUS DEEDS AT HATCHER'S RUN
T-
~'he fiercx fighting of Hatcher's Bun and Dabney's MiD^
Ya., February 5 and 6, 1865, brought to light nnmennu
examples of individual bravery among officers and men.
Valorous deeds are narrated of several men 'who were n^
warded with the Medal of Honor, as follows :
The Third Brigade, Third Division of the Fifth Army
Corps, to which Major James Coey's command, the One hun-
1 dred and forty-seventh New York Infantry, was attached,
advanced over an open field, under a heavy fire from the
enemy, who were entrenched in a wood. The brigade line
of battle reached to the edge of this wood, but owing to the
fierce fire it refused to advance farther, and lay down, seeking
shelter on the ground. The brigade commander. General
Bora^'K^^Y^kciiV^F^b.u, Henry A. Morrow, placsd himself in front of his command
and implored the line to move forward, but the effect of the
enemy's fire had been so appalling that the men hesitated. The situation was most
critical, because the brigade adjoining Morrow on his right was also sorely pressed
and its line in danger; General Crawford, the division commander, was urging
MoiTow's advance, hoping to draw the fire from the riglit front and relieve the pres-
sure there, but the lines had become terror-stricken. It was at this moment that
Major Coey, who had, by word and action, been seconding General Morrow's efforts *
to advance the line and hold it to its duty, seized the colors of his regiment and
advanced with them. The effect was magical ! Color after color was taken until
the entire brigade line was on its feet and with a cheer advanced into the woods to
within a few rods of the enemy's works. Here its farther advance was stopped by a
wide and deep ditch filled with water.
Major Coey communicated the situation to General Morrow, now in the rear of
the line, who, seeing the fast thinning ranks of his command, and the hopelessness
of advancing, ordered the line back to the edge of the wood, there to entrench. The
major then called the attention of the brigade commander to the lack of ammuni-
tion, hardly five rounds to a man being left, whereupon General Morrow ordered the
brigade to meet any advance of the enemy with the bayonet and go on entrenching,
Coey immediately ordered the men to obtain cartridges from the dead and wounded
IIittt'hor'8 Run nml Dahnej's Mills.— Eiirly hi February, 1863, a second attempt was made to jjain p
of till- Scmtli Siilo lOiitroad, iiuur Ilatclicr'a Kiiii, which rt^siilic-d in tlio buttle ot that name and included tho
actions at DabtK'j'a Mills, Kowanly Cri'cli, and (iruvelly itun. Tlit> battle begun February 5th and lasted
until the Ttli.whcn the Confederutt-s witc Toreud to retire wilh a loss of 1,000 and their commander, G«iienl
John rcfiraiii. Tho Uiiiuii loss was 2,000, tli(; greater iKirtioti ot which belonged to Ciawford'a Division^
which was driven bacii by the Confederates in great confusion.
Ijis^jr aJoQ^ his froot, aod to make obstmetioiis to retazd the enemy's mdv^nce bj
bw^ix^ zxA hiUftiwisnng young nplings. In mis work he ms setting his men u
exft^cjA]^, vh^m the Ccmfedenies, now reinforced by aitillerT, opened a fierce and
dtectr^Ktlre fire, and made a Sfnrited adrance on the front and flank, dziTing the
Uck/£t ljn.e bourk.
At ttjji janrtare Kajor Coey was sererely woonded — a ballet entering below the
krft eve aud pacing oat behind the right ear — and was being borne from the field
in the armi^ of two comrades when conscioasness retamed. Immediately he pre
eared a bon^e from an ambalance sergeant, and being lifted into the saddle and
iMrld there by two of his men he tamed to the line and, rallying it^ for the second
tinae roade a heroic attempt to check the advance of the enemy.
Four times on this day the One hondred and seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, to
wfaich2nd Lieat. John C. Delaney belonged, had charged on the enemj*s works, and
es^h time had been beaten back. In each of these charges many brave men fell
clo^e to the enemy, who were thoroughly protected behind impregnable fortifica-
tions. Lieutenant Delaney had the wounded of Company I, his own company, and
Corn{iany D, which was also under his command, carried back, so that none were
left between the lines. It was when his regiment had been forced back for the
fourth time that Lieutenant Delaney found himself up against the line of entrench-
menU$ that had l)een hastily thrown up by the Federal troops. The momentum of
the backward movement had been so great that he could not check himself until
the wall of earth stopped his run.
There he stood, surrounded by wounded men belonging to Company D, and
heard his name called on all sides by its members begging to be helped off the
field. The whole regiment had reached the safe side of their line of works, while he
alone stood outside facing the enemy, with the pitiful appeals of the wounded ringing
in his ears, and the bullets falling like hail around him. To add to the horror of
the situation he now noticed that the dry leaves and underbrush had caught fire
and that it was only a question of a few minutes before the wounded men would be
burned alive. Rushing to the surviving members of Company D, he appealed to them
to assist in saving their wounded comrades ; but to his surprise and dismay they
refused, several saying that it would be certain death to make the attempt. They
begged him to get over the works, convinced that he would be riddled with bullets,
or worse, l)umed alive. The sergeant then appealed to his own men, but not one of
them would venture in that shower of lead. Alone he rushed out, picked up a
wounded soldier much heavier than himself and started back, reaching the line of
works, where many willing hands were stretched out to help lift the wounded man
over. The sergeant's splendid example made such an impression on his comrades
that several were now willing to join him in the perilous work, and in a short time
all the wounded had been brought in ; but scarcely wfere the rescuers over the line
when every foot of ground was in flames. Several of the men were wounded
while struggling with their burdens, and they in turn had to be rescued from the
fire, each unfortunate thus saved adding to the glory of his comrades.
The Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was stationed at Hatcher's Ran,
accomplished one of the most gallant charges of the day. With drawn sabres the
line swept down upon the Thirty-third
North Carolina Infantry, and a severe
hand-to-hand fight followed. Sergeant
Daniel Caldwell, of Company H, charged
upon the color-guard, and knocking aside
the bayonets ready to receive him, he
seized the colors. Upon turning about
to rejoin his regiment he espied a rebel
officer and his staff coming toward
him. Not waiting for them to charge
him he put spurs to his horse and dashed
at them. The next moment he was seen
slashing and parrying with his sabre in
his right hand, while with his left he
managed his horse and retained the
captured flag. A few severe strokes and
be had cut a path through the enemy
and safely regained his regiment.
While the battle was raging on the
5th the Two hundred and tenth Penn-
sylvania Infantry was close to the scene
of action, but did not reach the battle-
field until noon of the 6th. Shortly
after noon it reached a position on the
extreme left of the line of battle and at
once pressed forward, driving the enemy
quite a distance through the woods
until they reached their reserve line,
stationed on a low ridge. Here the
rebels fought with renewed energy and,
with the additional hail of lead from
their reserve poured into the Union
troops, the Federal line began to waver, then gradually fall back. One of the
regiments of the brigade was thrown into utter confusion and its color-bearer
killed.
Private Charles Day, of Company K, Two hundred and tenth Regiment, ran to
the fallen colors and, picking them up, carried them throughout the remainder of
the battle.
m WILLIAM SANSS,
m DAmEL CALDWELL,
eergpant.Co. R. ISth Pa. Cav.
Born In MontBomerr
Co., pa.
(4) CHARLES DAT.
MtbIc, Co. K. lIDth Pa. Ir
Born Kt WfBt LaurenB.
N.V.,Msyao.l814.
(fi) JOEH C. DELAHST,
Sergpsnt, Co. D.lOTth Pa. Int.
Bom In Ireland,
April 23, IStS.
—486 —
■
After Iiaving en^i^ed the enemy's cavalry and also capturing a i^agon train, on
the 6th, Grcgf('s Cavalry Division, without rest of any kind, confronted the enemy
again on the 6th. Although the men had now been in the saddle for nearly twenty-
four Iiours there was no hesitation when the charge was sounded to repulse a sudden
heavy aHnault of the enemy on an infantry division. Having accomplished their
task, thfiy hold the line, dismounted, until the infantry had returned, when the rebel
skirmiNh lino was driven to the edge of the clearing, where within two hundred
yards was a lino of rebel works. The fire from these was very heavy, particularly
from a party of sharpshootors in a house within the works. Orders were given for a
general crhargo, and at the sound of the bugle the line dashed forward, carrying the
works, which woro lirst entered by Private John M. Vanderslice, of Company D,
Eighth ronnsylvania Cavalry, whose speedy horse carried him far in advance and
made him the loader of the line, in which position he received the undivided atten-
tion of the rebels.
Assistant Surgeon Jacob F. Kaub, of the Two hundred and tenth Pennsylvania
Infantry, was one of the board of operating surgeons of the field hospital of the
Fifth Army Corps, established in the rear and beyond the reach of rebel shot and
shell, but when ho learned that his regiment was without a surgeon he volunteered
to accompany it in the tight and obtained permission from the surgeon in charge of
the tield hospital to do so.
AVhile attending to the wounded under a severe fire, he discovered a strong
column of the enemy stealing by the left flank to the rear of the Federals. The
whole division was heavily engaged at this time, and no enemy was expected or
8upjH)sod to be in that direction. Raub, realizing the imminent danger of an attack
on flank and rear, ran forward under a severe tire and apprised General Ayres and
lleueral tJwyn of the thi'eatened danger. This prompt and intelligent action gave
time to change the direction of part of Owyn's brigade to meet the flank attack,
and sevorelv repulse the enemy. During the excitement of the repulse Surgeon
KauK though a non-combatant, took the musket and ammunition from a wounded
soldier and fought gallantly in the ranks until the end of the engagement.
Other brave deeds performed on this eventful day are chronicled as follows :
l>uriug one of the charges of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. First
Sergeant AViUiam Sands, of Company G, was in advance of his company and in the
face of a deadly tire he grasped the enemy's colors and brought them into the
Vuion lines.
Fii*st Lieutenant Francis 11. Smith, adjutant of the First Maryland Infauitry.
voluutarilv remained behind with the bodv of his rei^imental commander under a
heavy tire after the whole brigade had retired, and brought the body oflC the field.
Corporal John 'Ihompsou, of Company C, and Corporal Abel G. Cadwallader. of Com-
pany M, of the same regiment, planted the national and state flags on the enemy's
works iu advance of the regiment's arrival.
BRILLIANT CONDUCT IN A FIERCE BATTLE
L^
BAXTWBLL B. OOMPSOH.
Major, SIhK.y.CaTKlry,
Blsheet nnkktulned:
BHsaaier-Oenenl. Ore. K. G.
Born stl^re.SeDMn Co.,l(. Y,,
EAviNQ Winchester, Va., on February 27, 1865, General
Sheridan began his march to Petersburg, Va., with
the intention of destroying the Central Railroad and James
River Canal. General Early with a large Confederate force
stood ready to oppose and frustrate, if possible, the expe-
dition, and upon learning of the approach of the Federals
went into position at Waynesboro, Va. The two armies
clashed March 2d. The rain had been pouring in torrents
for two days and the roads were bad beyond description ;
nevertheless the Union men seemed tireless, although
neither they nor their horses could be recognized for the
mud which covered them. General Early bad at his dis-
posal two brigades of infantry and some cavalry under
General Rosser, the infantry occupying breastworks. Gen-
eral Custer waaordered to attack the enemy and, not want-
ing the Confederates to get up their courage during the delay that a careful reconnois-
sance necessitated, made his dispositions tor attack at once, sending three regiments
aroiind the left flank of the enemy, which was somewhat exposed by being advanced
from, instead of resting upon, the bank of the river in his immediate rear. " Our
general committed an unpardonable error in posting so small a force with a swollen
river in its rear and with its flanks wholly exposed," says a Confederate report of
General Early's position. General Custer with two brigades, partly mounted and
partly dismounted, at a given signal boldly attacked and impetuously carried the
enemy's works, while the Eighth New York and the Twenty-second New York
Cavalry formed in columns of fours, dashed over the breastworks and continued the
chaise through the little town of Waynesboro, the Twenty-second supporting the
Eighth New York. The Eighth crossed the South Fork of the Shenandoah River —
General Early's rear — where they formed with drawn sabres and held the east bank
of the stream. The enemy being now pressed by Custer found their retreat cut off,
and, completely disorganized, confused, bewildered, threw down their arms. Amidst
cheers and hurrahs the victorious Federals surrounded their brave opponents.
The substantial result of this magnificent victory was the capture of the Confed-
erate General Wharton and some 1,800 officers and men, fourteen pieces of artillery,
seventeen battle-flags and a train of nearly two hundred wagons and ambulances.
Waynesboro, Ta.— General Custer advanced, or March 2, 1865, from Staunton to Waynesboro, Va.,
where he found the enemjr, under Cieneral Early, and engaged him. The result of the battle waa the
capture of a large number of prisoners, the enemy's artillery and wagon train, by the Union forces ; and
the opening of the roads for unresisted advance along the James River and all the roads and means ot
supply north of Bichmond.
including General Eaxly's headquarters wagon, containing all his official papers and
records, 1,500 stands of small arms and SOO team horses and moles.
It was a battle where the Eighth New York Cavalry, under the gallant leadership
of Major Hartwell B. Compson, earned undying fame. The major himself performed
wonderful feats of bravery and set an example which electrified his men and inspired
them to deeds of splendid heroism. At the head of his troops who were selected to
make the atta«^k. he charged
ilown the highway into Waynes-
I ")ro. The enemy had five pieces
of artillery in the roadway and
had thrown op earthworks on
each side of the road ; behind
these breastworks infantry was posted. He was at the head of his command with a
color-bearer on one side and a bugler on the other, when they struck the Confederate
forces and a hand-to-hand fight took place. Just then General Early and his staff
moved down their front to direct the movement of the Confederate forces.
Coming upon Early's headquarters battle-flag he ordered the bearer to smrender.
A tierce tight at close quarters ensued and finally a heavy blow with the sabre knocked
his opponent from his horse and the flag was captured.
ROBEBT KIVEH,
aecond Llent., Co. H, 8Ih
N. Y. Cavalry.
Highest rank ilUlned :
BomatHBrlem.N.Y.,
ANDBEW KIIDEB,
Second Lieut., Co. G.Stl:
JJ. y. Cavslrj.
HlgbeBtnnkaltaliied:
Captain.
Born In South Livonia,
New York, 1888.
Breaking through the Confederates, he moved his forces down towards South
River and kept up the charge until he reached the bank. Seeing that the enemy
were closing in on his rear and that his support did not come up, he creased the river
and found earthworks thrown up on the opposite side from which the enemy could
have prevented their crossing had they occupied them. He at once dismounted his
men and placed them in the Confederate earthworks. Then when Custer pressed
down upon the rebels they were forced to cross the river, where they were ordered
to surrender. The result was that
when the battle was over Colonel
Compson's command alone had taken
800 prisoners five pieces of artillery,
1,500 stands of small arms and eight ,
I battle-flags.
Being needed no longer at the ford, "
Compson, who had noticed the enemy
moving their wagon-trains over the
mountains by way of Rock Fish Gap,
followed with his regiment, overhauled
it and captured everything in sight.
It was in this action where Second Lieu-
tenant Robert Niven, of Company H, of the
"' °"™" same regiment, had a hot encounter with a
body of rebels. "I was ordered to pick out five men from my company," says
the lieutenant, "to go ahead as an advance guard and we pressed along the narrow,
hilly road, densely lined with woods. By this time the atmosphere was quite
foggy. I had gotten far in advance of my comrades when suddenly I found
myself right in the midst of a wagon-train composed of about ten wagons and a
dozen Confederates, commanded by a lieutenant. With a great show of bravery I
ordered them to suiTender and promised that every one who attempted to escape
would be shot on the spot. But they saw that a one-man order to twelve scattered
men was practically worthless, when the bushes around there offered such a good
opportunity to get away. Consequently, when the regiment came up I had captured
not only three or four prisoners, but also two rebel flags, ten army wagons with
mules attached, the lieutenant's horse, and all of General Early's official papers."
Second Lieutenant Andrew Kuder, First Sergeant Charles A. Goheen and Sergeant
Daniel Kelly of Company G, and also Corporal Henry H, Bickford and Sergeant
James Congdon as well as Private John Miller of this same regiment, the Eighth
New York Cavalry, were fortunate enough to capture rebel colors in this grand
melee.
Rebel flags were also captured in this battle by Privates Peter O'Brien and Warren
Carman, of the First New York Cavalry (Lincoln), and Harry Harvey, Geoi^e
Ladd and Michael Crowley of the Twenty-second New York Cavalry. All of above
mentioned were awarded the Medal of Honor.
WHERE THE REBELS WERE BADLY BEATEN
QEOROB W. CLSTB.
Ir General Johnston had succeeded at Bentonville, N. C,
^ March 19, 1865, he would to-day he mentioned among
the greatest generals of all nations and ages. Early in
the morning he addressed his troops. What he said was
something like this : " I have ahout me here 40,000 brave
and gallant troops. Shall we permit the Yankees to make
farther progress? No. Their army must and shall be
stopped here. They are marching upon ns by four different
roads. We shall fall upon one column after the other and
annihilate each separately."
This plan failed. The Confederate gendrals had forgot-
ten to reckon with the bravery of the Union soldiers.
The first column attacked by Johnston was the Four-
teenth Army Corps. At first he gained a temporary success, forcing the Federals to
fall back and capturing three guns. Then the Twentieth Army Corps and General
Eilpatrick were hurried upon the field, and not only was the further advance of the
rebels checked, but the Union lines were re-established in their original position.
All day long Johnston made a most stubborn effort to break the Union center. Six
charges, one after the other in rapid succession, were made at the same point, and
on the same men, and six times the enemy were beaten off with equal determination.
General Kilpatrick was full of admii-ation for the pluck
and gallantry of his men when darkness ended further
fighting. General Johnston, discouraged, disappointed,
disheartened, withdrew. His fondest hopes had come to
naught.
In this battle two of Michigan's soldiers. Corporal Geoi^
W. Clute of Company I, and Private Henry E. Plant of
Company F, both of the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry,
distinguished themselves as heroes.
The regiment had been ordered to the front on a double-
quick and upon its arrival found the cavalry fighting the
rebels in a large pine swamp. It was here that the six suc-
cessive chaises were made by the enemy. The last charge
was an especially severe one. It came to a hand-to-hand
fight. " In the midst of the struggle," says Clute in describing it, " I saw a Confederate
From Saruuuh to BentOBTille. — As General Sherman and his army marched north from Savannah to
Goldsbpro, hia opposition consisted of 87,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry under General Johnston, and Gen-
eral Hood with 10,000 Infantry and a division of cavalry. At Averyaboro, Hardee's army was repulsed with
a loss of 600 men. At Bentonville Johnston's army attacked General Slocum's wing of the Federal forces
and a three days' fight ensued, resulting In the falling back of the Confederate force, after a loss of 2,83B
killed and wounded and 1,641 taken prisoners. The Federal loss waa^l,046 killed and wounded.
HEHBT E. PLAHT,
October 11, lUl.
flag and made a rush for it. It was in the hands ot their lieutenant. He and I were
out of ammunition. Kothing bat a trial of strength coald determine which one of ns
was entitled to those colors. We had a desperate fight, bat I proved to be the
stronger and dragged color-bearer and flag along for over 100 feet before he let go
of the staff and ran back to his lines. Carrying the captured colors aloft I ran to
my company, the men of which were fighting with dabbed mnshets.
" When my captain canght sight of me and my trophy he said :
" ' Why didn't you kill that rebel ! '
" ' Because I had no ammanition,' I replied.
" While I was still talking with the captain, our own men, whose attention was
attracted by the Confederate flag which I held in a raised position, began firing at
ns, and I was ordered to quickly drop the flag. I dragged it behind me along the
ground and was just about to join my fighting comrades a few feet in front of me
when I once more canght sight of the Confederate lieutenant from whom I had
wrenched the colors. As his eyes fell upon ma he qnick as a flash took aim with
his revolver and fired at me, the ball entering my right arm. Then he, with like
suddenness, disappeared."
Private Plant was no less plucky. The sergeant and color-guard had been shot
down in the same charge and a yawning gap was left on either side of the colors.
Plant took in the situation at a glance. He ran toward the colors, seized the flag
from the hand of the wounded standard-bearer and waved it, cheering on his com-
rades to more determined resistance. When the rebels were at last repulsed Plant
was promoted sei^eant and color-bearer and carried the flag he had so gallantly
defended to the end of the war.
OVERWHELMED BY SHERMAN'S KINDNESS
AN OBDERLT appeared in the bivouac of the Thirty-first
Wisconsin Infantry, after the battle of Bentonville, N.
C, had been fought, March 19,1865.
" Is Private Peter T. Anderson of Company B present f V
he inquired. Private Anderson stepped forward. "You're
wanted at General Sherman's headquarters," the orderly
stated and started back followed by the private, who trem-
bled in anticipation of his fate. What could the general
possibly want of him ? Had somebody told that he had
AHDERBOM ^^^^ ^^^ *^® ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ bcforo? Was he to bo punished,
prtviw. Co. B.31SI wifl.inr reprimanded, rebuked! He reviewed his whole army life,
Boro'Tn Lrf»'"t"co..wie!i scrutinizcd every act; he knew of no wrong that demanded
sept-i.wi.. punishment. He inquired of the orderly, begged him to tell
what the general wanted, but this individual was annoyingly short of speech and
would not or could not give the slightest hint. Finally headquarters was reached.
As Anderson saluted General Sherman rose from his camp stool and with that genial
manner so characteristic of the great American leader offered it to the humble
soldier.
This unexpected reception bewildered and embarrassed the private to such an
extent that he completely lost his composure. He mechanically followed the
general's polite invitation and sat down on the camp stool — allowing the commander
to stand up before him. The ludicrousness of the situation never dawned upon the
good Wisconsinite at the time.
" Well, Anderson," said the general, " 1 am proud of you ! "
He said a great many more things equally as flattering and pleasing, and ended
by grasping the soldier's hand and assuring him that his services would be rewarded
soon in a more substantial manner. And thus was the private, highly honored and
highly elated, dismissed by the general.
What were these services ?
Private Anderson's own modest version is as follows :
"It was at Waynesboro, N. C, March 16, 1865. The Confederates held a strong
position. My company, with others, was deployed to oppose and divert them from
our lines.
" Owing to heavy rains the day before the ground was muddy. As we advanced
we came to a deep depression, filled with water four or five inches deep. Across
this pond and about 200 feet from us were a lot of logs piled up. Suddenly and
without a warning, as we reached the water, a volley was fired on us by a number
of rebels lying in aipbush behind the logs. It wrought havoc in our ranks. Oar
situation was critical. If we remained where we were we would all be mowed down
by the next volley. Yet there was no time to retreat. Our men and officers were
badly scattered. There was no officer to command us, and but one way out of the
difficulty. I shouted to the boys : * Forward ! ' The order was obeyed. Before the
rebels had time to reload we were pointing our guns at them over the logs and
demanded their surrender. They complied. Their number was about seventy-five,
while we were not more than thirty. This action was witnessed from the rear by
several of our officers. General Sherman among them. We brought the prisoners to
our camp.
" Three days later, at the battle of Bentonville, I took sick and was told to get
into an ambulance. I preferred the ranks. Our brigade, composed of three regiments,
took position in the edge of the timber, to the left of the pike and to the left of the
Fourteenth Corps, leaving quite a gap between ns. We had just begun felling trees
and making a breastwork of them when the rebels attacked us across an open field.
They swung around on both flanks, practically surrounding us. We were forced
to retreat.
" I was provoked at our retreat, because I could not see the rebels advancing on
the sides, but noticed only their line in front. It did not take long, however, before
I ftiUy rvjmpTRhenfied 'iie ^itnarlon. Ad vm Sell back ta t^ tompikg w« I^: tiie
yinerwinrii Lmiana 'larr.*!? hefaind. Someone -ihonted : *For 'TtnTa aakB, brrng aac
tJiac ;iar.MT7 !' I -.imRfi ro » 'Commie ami aakai 'aim. co OTtne widi ma and aciieinpc
to .wT-i -ihe rwir.r^jry. He «r".i.Hftd. I ^veni; ;ia»ric ro ciiii barrer/ widioaT: anY a^atance.
It ■»■!«! ail ii.uiierft*! in. "hft hnrafts hiwiieii and r-jaiiy co be moTed. Turning uiifi
kotaefi '".f nnft riii :nr.n "iift mati, :i.'iin;z m? ramrri for El whip. I started TJlgm. a&er
<Wr wrffarj.-itr ,Ti,ili,*. I trieii ro mount one of 'he hiirses. bnt coe jdrmp was .due
•fl jiiHt a.-! r ;ttir, nij fivin in ir> ami T xarf ooiiawi M foilo'v along behiniL Tie distaoee
to onr .liiftw Viw f.-nm one-'.h:r=i -.> half a mlL?. aa<i ail shia war I waa Tin At & fc«
Rh<ti ."11-?% f.*r,rii hrj'ii .cities. An one time :he Rhei^ were on all sides of me »iuide-
maxidinq xj inrrfsniiftr. I ha<l prer:»jii.-il7 firwl raj g^a and was now trying ts
reload, r hail nearly .'tnf,f!eede<i when a ahon imck tiie barrel and broke it xa tk>
midri>. The iWMr.e shr,n knock*! off the tip of my rifrac foreifnger. I ]
mnsken arnt Mazftd axaj, .■»endiiij rarjrod and all inro "he rebels. An <
Up dofift V, me, pointftfl hi.^ reTolv.*r ar, m? hea.i aad shouted: 'SarrffndtT, joa
dumnftrj Tar.ifftft 1 ' A 'hoTi from .some qnamer IrlUai hi.Ti oanrighfi cfae next i
I flnaii/ resw^herl my reiji-iient; xhioh, oo'-erTir.z my pi:eiiLi:am.ent. had tafcen & a
waiting for me tr. 'rome up. PaAaing our ralliefi line I transferred the reacned fidfr
pi«ce tfi *.he '•Jire of a f.hlef of artillery Trh-j came to meet me and then, 'went totta
rear, -w^-nn^A anor,her grin and retnme<l to take a hamf in the next charge of tts
rebels."
Thft rfjTard promi.ied '07 Oi^nerai Sherman came within lesa than three mowHa;
Ander.v*n receive^l a f^aptain'.* commi.-.^ioQ and the lEeiial of Honor.
"DON'T LET THEM GET ME"
ApicrrREfliirE featnre of General Sherman's arzn j dnzing
the f^rand tour from Savannah to Richmond iras tha
rear giiard with iu foraging detachments and tefogee
train. So great were the additions of refugee negroes that
at times the marching colnrans in the rear had the appear-
ance of a huL'e army, which they were, except that a large
majority of the refugees were nnarmed. Whole families
of nejiToes, afoot, riding mules, horses and cattle, tmndling
Narrows and drawing oarLs and wagons, foUowed the Union
pi»re»B«i»EB troop«. To protract thi.s large train from the almost con-
prt--.-*..f;-. [,,;rffi.'./ft[nf, timiou.-) petty a.s-ault.>3 made by small bodies of Confeder*
***'''?!.' ';."T/'a;!l^a"''' al-e cavalry and occa-ional detachments of bushwhackers
wa.s the ha2ardou3 duty oE the rear guard commanded by
0«;nftral I'ortf^r an I f.o which wa.^ attached the One hundred and seventh Ohio In-
fantry, Tbft work r*:'i'iir*;d wa.s done, very largely, in small detachments in advance,
on either flank and to the rear of its own main colamn, so that individuar actions
involving these smaller bodies were almt^t everyday happenings. On the 23d of
March, however, while Sherman's main army was bitterly engaged at Bentonville,
N. C, General Porter's troops encountered a force of Confederates at Dingley's Mill,
near Sumterville, S. C, The Confederates had fired the wooden bridge across the
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"WE PICKED BROBST UP AND PLACED HIM ON MY RIFLE BETWEEN US."
mill race to prevent or check his attack, and evidently had good and commanding
positions on their side of the race.
General Porter, thinking that the Confederates had evacuated, ordered Colonel
Houghton, of the Twenty-fifth Ohio, to come down from the toad, which was high
and acted as a dam to the mill pond on one side. Colonel John S. Cooper, of the
One hundred and seventh Ohio Volunteers, feeling sure that the enemy were still in
hiding across the race, called for volunteers to cross the burning bridge and recoa-
noiter the enemy's position. Private H. S. Finkenbeiner, of Company D, vrho,
accompanied by Jacob James and Jacob Brobst, volunteered for this service, tells (A
the affair as follows :
" We received orders to accomplish the mission and report as soon as possible;
The enemy's battery was masked on a little knoll that commanded the entire road,
and as we crossed at a point abont ninety yards from the bridge they conld plainly
see every move we made, while they were hidden from our view. The support of
this masked batt«ry lay still nearer the bridge in a thicket on the right side of our
advance.
"We cautiously went forward, passed the burning mill, and, reaching a place
where the road makes a tnm towards Sumterville, we saw the enemy for the first
time. Instead of creeping back and reporting, we took a shot at them and ^en ran
for the bridge. ^
" To our great surprise, we then found ourselves between the enemy^nbatteiy
and their reserve. A shot of grape and canister but twenty yards from iptis turn
was sent to intercept our run, but we were too near and it flew vride of its mark.
The next instant the support just in front and to our right opened fire on us. Their
second aim was better, or worse for us, for Brobst fell. His cry, ' Don't for God's
sake let the rebels get me,' brought us to a stop in our headlong rush for safety, uid
we returned to our fallen comrade.
"By this time they had our range and were shooting uncomfortably close to ns.
We picked Brobst up and placed him on my rifle between us, thus carrying him in
safety over the burning bridge to an ambulance corps in the woods, in the rear of
our army,
"Just then we saw General Houghton come down the narrow road and file out.
Knowing the terrible situation he would get into, I hurried to report our discovery
to General Porter, and an orderly was sent forward at once to recall the Twenty-
fifth Ohio, which would certainly have fared badly had they advanced."
"LIEUTENANT, WHAT SAY YOU?
JOSEPH F. OJJITEB.
Capl«lD. Co. D, Third Uaryland latftntry.
BIgheatnnkatUlncd: Msjor.
Born In Baltimore. MarjUnd,
Sept.ll.iua.
FOBT Stedhan, Va., had fallen into the hands of the
enemy, who cunningly had taken advantage of
the order allowing deserters to bring in their arms. In
the disguise of such deserters they had approached the
Union picket lines in small squads, overpowered and
captured the pickets and gained access to the works
without any alarm being given. General N. B. Mc-
Laughlin and nearly the entire garrison, sixteen officers
and 480 men, were captured just before daybreak March
25, 1866, the darkness materially aiding the Confederates
in their bold and tricky move.
With the break of day the occurrence revealed itself
to the Federal commanders operating in the vicinity
and determined efforts to recapture the fort were made
immediately. The Third Maryland Infantry met large
detachraent'j of the enemy, sent to capture the adjoin-
ing Fort Haskell (see page 388), and drove them back into Fort Stedman, passing
the gate and forcing the Confederates to retreat into the camp, from which they
themselves had only shortly before driven the One hundredth Pennsylvania. The
entrance to the fort, however, had been gained and the Pennsylvania boys now
hurried to the support of their gallant comrades from Maryland. It was decided to
" follow up the enemy and charge the fort. This was done so successfully by an
attack from two sides that within a short time the Federals were once more masters
of the stronghold, capturing nearly the entire Confederate force. An occurrence
that followed is the subject of an interesting story told by Captain Joseph F. Carter
of Company D, Third Maryland Infantry. The captain was in command of his
regiment on the expedition to recapture the fort, while the One hundredth Penn-
sylvania was led by Major N. J. Maxwell :
"Seeing that Major Maxwell was in control of the fort," says Carter, "I moved
out to intercept the retreat of the rebels, who had advanced to our newly built rail-
road leading to City Point and were thus between our lines. Somehow or other my
men, who were busy in gathering up prisoners outside the fort, became separated from
me. I did not notice their absence, but kept right on, until I came to a cut in the road
Fort Stedmui.— Early od the morning of March 35, 1665, the Confederate forces under General Gordon
aasBulted the Federal lines in front of Parke's Ninth Corps, which held the Appomattox River toward the
TTnion left, and carried Fort Stedman and a part of the line to the right And left of it, turning the guns of
the fort against the Federals. But the Union troops on either fltuok held their ground until reserves were
brought up, when the Confederates were driven back to their lines.
The losses sustained bj the Ninth Corps were 68 killed, 8S7 wounded and 606 missing, while those sus-
tained by the Confederates were 2,681, among whom were 1,000 prisoners.
iii
44
^498-
leading into Petersbui^, with banks about ten feet high. Here, to my surprise, 1
found a rebel regiment which had selected this place for shelter from the heavy fire
of our artillery stationed in the rear of our main line. They had been sent to the
rear of Fort Stedman to seize the railroad and there received orders to retire, but
were confused and waited for further orders. The recapture of Fort Stedman by
our troops had cut off the retreat to their own lines. There were about three hun-
dred of them just filing into the road getting ready to stay the advance of our skir-
mishers who were following up their retreat, when I appeared on the bank and
shouted to the greatly surprised Confederates on the road below to surrender. A
captain in command retorted :
' Who in hell are you ? '
'A Yank/ I answered, adding quickly that we had recaptured Fort Stedman,
were complete masters of the situation and that he could not possibly get back with
his men to his lines. The rebel captain, however, who evidently had no knowledge
of this fact, did not propose to give in so easily. * Well/ he remarked, * where are
your men ? '
" Then came a surprise on my side. Looking l^ack of me I made the eml^arrassing
discovery that I was alone. Surely this was a tight fix to be in. but there was no
other way out of it except by strong argument and explanation. While conversing
with the captain, who seemed to realize the situation, I caught sight of one of our
staff officers, about 200 yards away, signaling to our batteries to cease firing on Fort
Stedman, which was now occupied by our troops.
" Pointing at him I continued :
"'Captain, see that staff officer? He is ordering the firing to be stopped. The
whole country around here is in our possession. It's no use, you can't gret away.'
*'That satisfied him and he surrendered. He asked me what he should do and I
told him to march his men off by the right flank down the road to our rear, intend-
ing to briiiK the whole regiment to our camp alone, but when the rebel column
emerged from the cut and thus became exposed, our troops renewed their fire and
threatened death and destruction to my so willing and obedient prisoners. I there-
fore directed the captain and his men to throw down their guns and remain in the
cut until our men would come up and take them.
" Again they followed out my instructions. I then signaled to our men to cease
their tire and come up. but was not understood, and. being the only one exi>08ed,
became the target for a lot of General Hartranft's raw recruits. I cannot say that
I enjoyed that part very much, and not experiencing any desire to be shot down by
our own troops, I descended into the cut and joined the rebels. The captain was an
agreeable person to chat with, and we conversed about his future prospects as a
prisonnr, when my attention was drawn to a rebel flag a short distance away. A
lieutenant and color-guard of six men were moving along the bank trying to make
their escape. I l.»roke off my conversation abruptly and started after them, picking
up a loaded irun on the way.
—409 —
** Before the lieutenant realized what was happening he had the rifle placed
against his breast and was commanded to surrender the flag he was carrying.
" The lieutenant was game and promptly replied : * I'll be damned if Til give you
that flag ! And furthermore I want to tell you that you are my prisoner. Give me
your gun/ and at the same time the color-guard raised their guns and made a most
expressive show of resistance.
"Here I was in a pretty mess. The rebel guns were raised at my head. If I
pulled my trigger I would sound my own death-knell. Surrounded by rebels, be-
yond the help of my own troops, it would have been folly to carry the blufE farther,
so I made a virtue out of necessity and handed the lieutenant my gun.
" And thus I, who only a few minutes ago had captured a whole regiment, was
made a prisoner myself. All my arguing as to him and his men being cut off brought
only the curt reply, * Come along, we'll see.'
" Taking me in their midst the lieutenant and guard moved across the open field
in the direction of our works, thinking them their own lines. Immediately our
batteries opened on us with at least twenty guns with spherical case shell, which
tore up the ground all around us. There was a great chance of me losing my game
if the lieutenant saw fit to change his course and pass around our works, as it almost
seemed he would. Visions of Libby prison with all its horrors looming up before
my eye determined me to make a break and at least give the rebels a run. But
the guard was on to my intention and one of them yelled at me : * You damned
Yank, you try to run and we'll blow you to hell.' So I gave up the attempt
to escape. Presently I noticed three soldiers in blue about sixty yards away from
us. I recognized them to be men of the One hundredth Pennsylvania and yelled
as loud as I could : * Boys, I am a prisoner here ! ' They came toward us on a
run. *All right. Captain,' one of them spoke up, 'we'll save you.' Turning to the
lieutenant he continued : * Lieutenant, what say you now ? I guess the tables are
turned. You are our prisoner.'
" The rebel officer made no long reply, but merely said : ' I surrender.'
" I now quickly seized the colors and turned my attention to the rebel regiment
in the ravine. Waving the flag to signal our men to cease flring, however, had
the result of increasing it, so much so that the rebel color-guard advised me to
drop the flag. I tried another method. Throwing down the flag, I trampled upon
it and waved my sword over my head. This had the desired effect. Our men
rested their guns, but on the other hand my action had been watched by the Con-
federates from their works about 200 yards away. Incensed at the indignity to their
colors they poured a most terrific fire in our direction, rendering our position as
critical as before. I finally picked up the colors from the ground and started on a
dead run with my prisoners for our works, being forced to go for sixty yards towards
the enemy, and expose myself to their concentrated fire, before I reached the cover
of our own works. The rebel regiment was shortly afterward brought in as prison-
ers by Hartranft's men."
HEROISM IN THE HOUR OF REVERSE
f'-'Ty^j^^'
iTffMDt.Co.K.nth Mus.Int.
chasi.es h. pibkbam,
SrrgrBnI-U*j..r, OTtli M*M. Inf.
IIIchr«i rank atuinrd:
Brev.-C«pi,.i;.S.V,
Bom at Gnfton . Mau..
"T^E fighting at Fort Stedman
■* brought ont many examples of
great individual bravery and fur-
nished numerous incidents which
prove the pluck and indomital)le
courage of the Union soldier, no
matter whether he was in a victori-
ous battle or facing defeat. At Fort
Stedman particularly, where the
Federals were treated to a surprise
by the enemy, their conduct was
_ such as to force even the foe to
-AprtiioViiif. admire it.
It is recorded, for instance, that
one private of the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry was surrounded by a group
ot rel>els, seized by the throat and ordered to surrender. His reply was : "Xever."
Whereupon he was clubl>ed over the back with a musket and shot in the head, hut
in spite of his injuries fought with his opponent, and escaped, •
Other brave deeds were those of Sergeant-Major Charles H. Pinkham, ol the Fifty-
seventh Xfassachusetts Infantry, and Sergeant William H. Howe, of Company K,
Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry. Howe's regiment was in camp within the
works when the Confederates entered and surprised them. No shots were fired, the
Confederates using only the butts of their muskets. The regiment \vas forced to
retreat, leaving a great number of its men in the hands of the victorious rebels.
When the Federals were already driven out of their works and the rebels in full
possession of tlie camp Sei-geant-Major Pinkham rushed back into the very midst of
the enemy, entered a tent, seized the regimental colors, and dashed back with his
precious treasure to his own lines. During the subsequent fighting for the recapture
of the camp, which ended in an utter rout of the rebels, Sergeant-Major Pinkham.
had a chance to seize the colors of the Fifty-seventh North Carolina Infantry and
carried them triumphantly into the Union lines.
Sergeant Howe was one of the Union soldiers who was captured when the rehels
took possession of the fort. He managed to escape his guard, however, and rejoined
his comrades in front of Fort Haskell. When volunteers were called for to serve an
abandoned gun, he with five others undertook to perform the work. They were ex-
posed to a most galling fire, but he worked the gun with such telling effect after all
but two of the battery men belonging to the piece were killed that the Confederates
were forced to retreat before its withering fire, allowing the Federals to come up
to the supiiort of thebrave volunteer gunner.
>'
DUTY AND DEATH RATHER THAN DISHONOR
ALLEN THOHPSOM,
rlTBtp.Co. K, 4lh New Yorl
Heavy A mile rr.
«m at Sandy Creek, Oswen
Co., N, Y., Oct. 1, IMT.
JAHEa THOHPBON,
vatp,C...K.4Ih VcwYori
k T THE time Grant was bending every
* energy and all resources to hold
Lee's army in check and all military oper-
ations centered around the Appomattox
'' campaign, the Fourth New York Heavy
Artillery was serving as infantry, being
attached to what was called the " Irish "
Brigade, First Division Second Corps, the
division commander being General Nelson
A. Miles. Corps organizations were broken
up, and all around Petersburg to the west
and south, over a radius of thirty miles, ^°cJ:l^'!\\fD^.%'.^^^
the Federal troops were fighting by bri-
gades in separate actions. Tet, so able were regimental, brigade, division and corps
commanders, so thoroughly did the rank and file understand the situation, that
together these individual actions revolved around and were practically parts of the
great combat of the Appomattox, the Battle of Five Forks.
On the morning of April 2d, Miles, in pursuit of the enemy, arrived at White
Oak Road. With the determination to bring the rebels to a standstill he pushed
his brigade in line of battle towards their works, resolved to carry them. The works
were in plain view, but not a man was in sight, not a rifle cracked to break the
silence of the early morning. The brigade halted, suspicious of a trap or an ambush.
The deserted look of the works appeared unnatural, the very silence seemed to call
for caution. All eyes were turned towards the works, every man in the brigade was
full of anxiety to know the secret they concealed.
General Miles observed that it would be necessary to call for volunteers to take
the lead, advance through the woods and ascertain the situation. This call was
FlnAl Operations Aronnd Fetenbnr;, Tb.— When Grant went into winter quarters before Petersburg he
had determined to r^Hume his campaign against Lee on the 29th of March, 1866.
The heavy rains, however, prevented active operations until the 2d of April, when the general assault
commenced and was pursued along Grant's whole line, which extended from Appomattox to Dinwiddie
Oourt House. The day preceding Lee was defeated at FItc Forks, where Sheridan gained a signal victory.
This defeat seemed to bewilder Lee, and as he could not withstand the vigorous assault of the 2d — his lines
having been broken in numerous-places — he noiselessly withdrew his army toward the Danville Road at
nightfall.
Before sunrise on the 3d Parke had gone through the enemy's lines and taken Petersburg. Grant now
ordered Sheridan to push toward the Danville Road, while Meade was in close pursuit up the Appomattox.
In the afternoon Grant received word from Weitzel that Richmond had been taken early in the morning
and was securely held. Notwithstanding these victories Grant was apprehensive of Lee's escape, and con-
■equently set out in pursuit of him.
The Federal losses at Five Forks were about SCO killed and wounded ; the Confederate losses 8,600.
At the assault and fall of Petersburg the Federals lost 8,800 and the Comederstei 8,000.
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^4*1 T?i.r Tr.l- ^-r rTar^rrd- 317 '.ri'^rr zr^T, I 2.rX'- xnd The rrier
otr jrihT tr'jCL r.^zz.". v, Irf*. ^ ^^^ ^* •-;*-■- ^ / j.»-^ a - * :'!:e-^:oT:r:ii oftiie^imy;
Ti-*: ?iia^£Lr.z. ^^ ::i*<i i.l '."Hi'^hei Vj^e^h^r. '±z-i pn-:er-iei in This manni^
tf*7 f^trir r'zir^ji^rr. ^^en ^e "^^rri^r -Tirpr^ei Vj -tt' in :-iT>'jir. ji The «iemy rf
fifr'^ .Ti*rn rr^ j-it jf The rlskshin^ a hTTie to ^jitr ^er: .•: The rrid and 'cvitiiiii.
of ir. The"^ jvi^T^i ii TO Throw icwn j^ir znn* izi ' -'ine m.'
" 'VL:^: "..'i^-i *v^ i«j ; Te had 'he 'i^^ret :: i tI-iHIj.I :haT "^ouid
TTZ^a-ie /: '.•rL'r=T 'j":*? in jut rear inTO :hi5 iraTh-^rrra". Th^re The enemv conld
•c'jT •.T.'irm io*:^^ iT ":heir '.ei=nre. '^e knew "-rr- -rell Thac if *ve
^•:^n:^ ".'-rr ijirTi: "ve Toaid ^e '^omp^r^le-i "'J ji^e ip 'he '•i.=rn:il or iie. so "wt©
^r'l^^*nl■^ r'':r7=r: "va^^ to ^^e "he alarm And iie Tiirre we were, ^e dred- azid
Th*::r 'o^lev jf riiTT T'ie^e* ic a iiitance »>! 'r<rar?e:7 J.*j feet.
"^iz 'jf J :r -Tim'er were '•rretohei ,tn The zrr'^md. dve lead, one
wounde-i. -icd ,»ne wiTh several holes Thro'izh iiii '.'loTihe* ■>ut withour a s<
a..? .'odv. -v::o .lui'ie hi= waj tack *o *he rear xcd *o iiif '•ompanv as =ooii as
'j'lr T^oD' :ieard "Le aiarni ?hots dnd "he "'»Ilev -har followe^i. and knew^ at onflS
vr.ar j^id haprene-i 'o our iiTTle "i-jTiad. T^ie enemj'-i position was incov(
.aT':e ■'/'r.rr.^r.'-f-d -it •.•rii.'e. '.''ir br:ira.de JieM "rhe p^^^jitioa wh^rre They
.f -r T»r':o:. i ',': "i.T-.'.ir. tW'ii::^ anjund icd Tooi rhrm 'm :he dank. *:aking a
yrir^j'^^r-. icl ■•'jT:i[.-rilin;^ Thtm :o ev.iciaie 'heir works and hunr another
tLe r^rJii". A:"er "::ie varTle was over our ii:*ie vjnad was hot ror^tten.
'vas -er.: 'o -yiry 'ii-Tii. which round :ne --riil :n :he !and of :he living, Iring
i«td '!Mr.r?i';Tr iil *ii:i "ime i.'e^ween :he •:'.»n:'rnd:iii: '.ine^. ::>ni7ing for a bail! to
ar:d -.:. : .:. v rr.:.z*^r^. M7 ''rorher. Allan T-:omp>^:'!i. was :iie -'ne who got back to
!in»r"? .:. viirrv .-^ii'i .nade rhis repor-. He i.-^o reveivc*! a Medial 01 Honor."*
' ' -, ^ '
T!.»r rrianre ir-oii "h*r '.■oiifederare 'vi..r:v:? :ir White 'jak Road brou^t ont uiotilflr
" riv- ;»rH4i. ..,f •.v::j;:i V'.r^r Lieurer.ai:: Stepii'TU P. '/-.u'li^rf. '>f Company F, Fourth
Nt'-v y ,rk --ffravv Ai-'ill'rry, -vus ^^h^ h^rr". T::- -riieiuy had a ■.•artery posted on an
:^--:i':'::i ji^jir "i'.'r S>'i::: Side Iiai^r'.ad v-inr.- •: -Mrti^ev'red with the White Oak
lli.iv: \^'.''v:''.:.-^ ::ro ?'-'er>:.ur:i. tnd -vai j.;: -r- '!.■ [m j:reac damage to the advancing
F'r'ierUxs ir^n: *i:at po'irion. Th^^ jr^ier «.*ame :o '.'aptiire : he battery, which waa
j^: t'v _ .r.i .-—■'...*-.-•— Tiv^ i--,i,-.:-.r': a -jii.\2.T^ iTajrai V;
■,a.-'7 .■-.'. Mr; v. u::^a.:';. 7 ■.r r^rii:"'! d.'": "vxs i" ocL'W
•:..-::-■: i -—■■.:■: -.:..•'. : .c i -n.j-: -:.■=-; r.!*^ i-i-'ii'-'i xi^
-fT-ui.-:- .■,-..,-. i-.-.. T.-.:^-.*^; -,\rz ii.. :: r^ir ii^. it ■:!:<?»;
::^;;:'. ■:.:■■-■;. ^M-.i-: .^ -.:- -i ■■ !-i -i.--: '■■-'■_■ 1:^-.^.; W -h ii^
..1 za:.-: ■-•r .■■.■:- ir r.-.-t .ikh-i -A 'it r:ri-:'; iz."-: "iie -riie-u^'i
f-:a.f. ^ r-l ■; ".'.•^ ^.■".■. ;.-*;': .r.*;!:. '.iir Tp-js-iv.- ■v-^^'; ■^jim'^: ici ".he r^beLs rooted in
tiTXi-.f :'-'-:r, l.-:--:£:a;i-, '.-.cL.-ts" i.^r.'.ii <y;C.T:\iz.'.rri zrearlr in. :c>» a«:iii'f veni«lt o(
a ^pirrr.';.-: .-:-■. i-y. ^
THPi'LLING EPISODES APOLND PETERSBURG
'-^ --, -^A : y--rr-' --.."J led -.-.■ -::e ■■»■-> of F;t- F .l-a-.t. Va„ oq Apru 1. I"?«o. Lee
•ra* -r.-. ...^- -■■. ;>,l.. ./■.lin.Tt.,!! .ir:.: rr'^t; h::T..-r*rL: r-.;::! "he n.et: in-.i which he and his
i-T;'." ..a-; >:*r;. •', ia,..: i.It r* -r^-i ■ 7 <rr;iQT. T-: '*■"■'.■: liioi "here an'i i'at«rh him was
rr.f; r r-i-r::"!. '".:r,.v.:ir<';ei-'-^ r^.i- il.v. iLT.-i liirrr-^. T-; ''reak thn^'ii^h "he meshes and
*ya:>: ■ 1.- [,•:■: *. -'..•'. ■',• jr'T'. ' .r. 'h*? r^ii.Q -i'i-r x:i.-! ifeQenl Warre-Q. ■with the
7'.:'i. ' '.ry.r. •!..■; ' -".i.-.r-i... •?i:rL">:;i/.. '•'..'::::aE';:n^ 'iie '.'a^alry '.V-rps.
T',.- '.■.';:';':*::~i"— iiii'I 1 ..:.~ ■:: -rn.n;^ ^'jrk.- r-.T rheir fiipcort. while rhe nature
r,r' ■,.,■: ■'....■.■;■ .-i-.i-:-. r :.:. ;•.--; I-; :"'.r 'z*t F-r-i-rniU t.o ia-reQ'VJ. and they were thns
l,V'~''.:.'—\ ' M '..■r li'-rrr-ii^i - jl Hirii'inj cjr f;tll;n:f '■ai'k. The barrle began late in
■>..; i:'--:T,'.".'.. ":.'^ ;;-..'.on::'e': -^aTalry mukir.z an. ar"a''s on rhe works, the Fifth
Cf,i-^:~. -t.-a':.'.^ •-.- -i^-rriiT'-J l-ri* tu-iix. Bux'ii <-ir< f-.ni^hc wirh greac valor and
■iX^i .I.'. r.\ :.•:■■'.. -L.-.-i -..•^ .a"i- t:i.-t barj'i,-^/p.;';i_7 .-ir.-r^re'i : I'Ht before niurhtfall the
en*:,-.. ' r;"r :/: "•rti ::■■::. -h-rir --rri,!,:/ !ir;r 'jt -v-.i-ii-i :i.Z'\ ':<.'mpiereiT ri:>uted. Nearly
t>.'.'«,^.' '.■■::-■:'■: r I' -^-i -^-v'l 'raprTir'r'L ^m'l 'lie riii-Lixi.r.'i-rr ■ f the -ie moralized artny w^
dr." ::. '■/'■'\:-x yr'^.v-y-Xirjc. piir-Tin-i :'-,-r r.i:ies " " ~':.r '."■..•rijrii.ni:; ■■avairv.
T.'T '.<.-- ■.'•. -::•■ ' ::;>iri -i-:': 'v.i> \Ltr -nver-^. - "i^Tri'-aliy. Viit some of the bravest
(t^.r'vr- '.- -: '...■:.: ..-■:-. ■.-.: 'Il-.i- urrL-ri-rM : :■ ■: -\j.::y[-i. "Ji/i^nrl ^"inthnjp, who led
r'.:>: / /-- l^f.^-vir ■.: -..•■ ■^■■•:^:iA bwl-'^^n :i •:.- :::■(■ '.orpr^. H- fell at the head of
:...: ... . ■"■ . -:....■'.;■ L"-:-: '.:■■: ■■harj^ -vi,- .r-:^'.---;. '.'..^.n^I Ja;:ie< Grindlay, of the
',■!..: ; ■ :■; i:. : -! ry-\::-]. X -v X-.i-k '. .--iv-^. r ■:..-::' Li^>;;nied command, was
!■;,!: '..■ ■ . :::-;:■ '..•'. ^•.'tvi,"'i -•.■•.r.ii irA ;:: 'z-i -f.-.vv.:: 4 -^rr-ijii'e captured two rebel
Thecontesfa
on this battle-
field abound
with incidents
of similar in-
spiring brav-
ery.
First Lieu-
tenant Albert E.
Fernald, of Com-
pany F, Twentieth
Infantry, was
with his regiment iu
the last line when the
battle opened, bat was in
the first line when the worlts
were reached. The left of the
regiment struck the works first,
he being somewhat in advance,
;i nd as he cleared the breastworks
rfin toward a body of Confederates
with a rebel color-bearer. He
rushed among the crowd and se-
cured the flag before even his regi-
ment had gotten into the works.
Lieutenant Henry G. Bonebrake, of
Company G, Seventh Pennsylvania
Cavalry, in his ardor to secure a Con-
federate flag mu after a Confederate color-
bearer as soon as he had entered the
works as one of the first of Devin's Division.
He caught up to the Confederate, and in a
hand-to-hand struggle dispossessed his antago-
nist of the flag by superior physical strength.
(S) JOSEPH nBHEB, (1) J.TALL1.0S BGOTT. (G) BOBBKT L. OBB.
Corp.,Co.C.SlBtPk.Int, CBpt.,Co.I>,I5Ith Pa.Inf. Colonel.SUtPa.Int.
, mJOBHO.lUTTHZVB- Bora at PhlUdelphU, HIghestnink MUlned: Born at Philadelphia,
8rrgFaat,-Ci>. A. I4(H
Born at Wlltlamaon.K. Y.,
PTt..Co.A.eUtPa.Int.
Born In WestmorcUnd
Co., Pa., Uarch IB, ISM,
(T) ALBBBT S. FBBHALD,
1BtUent.,Co.F,30lhUe.lDf.
Highest nukattaln'll; Capt.
Bom at HBinDden,Ife..Ha7
Bam.Cbesler Co. j^a.JSaS
(B) JOHN 0. iTnro.
Ci>.K,9mhPa,Inf.
Pa., March 38,18%.
<10) FSAJnC rSBQ.
PriTBte, Co. A, 40th It, J, Int.
Born in Brunswick, Ger-
many, April 1, iStO.
<B) LBBTSB a. HACK,
Bergeant, Co. F, Gth VI. Inf.
Bom, ColdmlU, Fa., Jan. 18, I8U.
(It] OKABLBB A HUNTEB,
&eTgt..Co.B,Mth Masa.!!^
— 608 —
It was a rather critical situation in which Lieutenant William W. Winegar, oi
Company B, First New York Dragoons, had to exert all his wit and summon all the
presence of mind at his command. In the excitement of the battle he had become
separated from his company and was still advancing when his comrades were quite
a distance from him. Presently he found himself surrounded by rebels. It was
then he discovered that he was alone. Retreat was impossible. He had to rely on
his nerve. He ran up to a Confederate color-bearer who was standing only a few
feet away and, jj^asping the staff of his flag, demanded the surrender of the whole
crowd. The rebel was not quite willing to yield. On the contrary he quickly drew
his revolver and shouted : " Never ! You'll not get this flag ! " At this instant Lieu-
tenant Winegar tired, and so effectively that the whole company was demoralized.
Then, at his command, they surrendered and were marched to the rear.
Sergeant Robert F. Shipley, of Company A, One hundred and fortieth New York
Infantry, ran across a flag-bearer of the Ninth Virginia Infantry, who had his back
turned toward him. A gentle poke with the butt of the rifle reminded the Virginian
that a Vuion soldier wanted his flag. "Pass those colors over to me," Shipley
shouted. The Confederate whirled around and with the flagstaff for a club was
about to let it down on the head of the sergeant, but the latter, considering this the
wrong answer to his command, made good use of his bayonet, which rendered
further parley superfluous, and thus secured the flag.
Simultaneously with the battle at Five Forks a bombardment w^iia opened upon
the enemy's lines of fort iflcat ions around and about Petersburg, Ya., followed by a
general assault on the next day, April 2d. Again the fighting was of the most deter-
mined character and the losses, even to the Union forces, correspondinjjly severe.
The works were an extraordinarily strong line of rifle pits with deep ditches and
high relief preceded by one or two lines of abatis, unusually well constructed and
with a line of very strong fraise between them. At every few hundred yards were
forts or l^atteries well supplied with artillery. They looked well-nigh impregnable,
and nothing luit the most resolute bravery could result in penetrating thein.
The general ai>sJiult was orilered shortly before five o'clock in the morning, but
owing to some niij>apprehension the Federal pickets began to tire while the columns
were still forming. This drew the enemy's tire, not only upon the pickets but also
on the Jense masses in the rear, causing some loss of life, considerable confusion and
threatening to break the whole plan of attack. However, by the exertions of
the otficers the pickets soon ceased to use their rifles and quiet wa.s restored, the
Confederate^ apparently not being over-anxious to exchange shots in the darkness.
As soon as Jay began to dawn the looked-for signal was given and the assault
was made. The advancing columns broke over the enemy'.s picket line and« under
a heavy tire of artillery and a more deadly yet less noisy tire of musketry from
the parapets, moved over the main defenses. Abatis was cut away and through
the openings thus nuide, and rhrongh those made by the enemy for their own con-
venience in permitting access to the front, their works were gained. After a sharp
—607 —
but brief conflict the Confederates yielded along the whole line to the superior
valor of the Federals, whose prisoners they became after an unsuccessful attempt
to escape. The entire rebel artillery fell into the hands of the victors.
In this assault the Sixty-first Pennsylvania Infantry played an important part
and conducted itself so valiantly that no less than five of its members were honored
with a Medal of Honor for distinguished gallantry.
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert L. Orr took charge of the regiment at a critical mo-
ment when the regimental commander, ColonA Crosby, fell, mortally wounded. His
gallant leadership inspiifed the men and restored their confidence. Two color-
bearers having been shot down, the colonel himself grasped one of the flags and
carried it throughout the entire charge at the head of his regiment, which formed
the apex of the famous wedge-shaped assault. One of these color-bearers was Cor-
poral Joseph Fisher, of Company C. / A bursting shell had shattered his arm and
torn a wide gash in his side. He at first held on to the colors and with wonderful
pluck and neiTe attempted to crawl to the works and there plant his fiag, but his
strength failed and he fainted on the way.
The death of Colonel Crosby, the fall of the color-bearers, coupled with the
temporary disappearance of the colors, caused some commotion, if not confusion, in
the ranks, which, as stated, ceased when Lieutenant-Colonel Orr assumed command.
However, much credit is due to Private John C. Mathews, of Company A, who rushed
to the side of one of the fallen color-bearers and, holding the fiag aloft, greatly aided
in restoring order and confidence. For this fine display of quick action and presence
of mind Colonel Orr promoted him a color-sergeant then and there.
«
Privates Milton Mathews and Theodore Mitchell, both of Company C, distinguished
themselves by each capturing a Confederate battle-fiag.
An idea of the fierce fighting near Petersburg, which commenced as early as
March 31st, is given by the. narrative of Corporal Franklin W. Lutes, of Company D,
One hundred and eleventh New York Infantry, who won his medal on that day.
" When the order came to fix bayonets and charge,'* says Corporal Lutes, " I was left
guide of my regiment. Upon jumping from behind our breastworks we were met by
an awful volley from the enemy, who understood our move and determined to drive
us back to our fortifications. Many fell before this storm of lead, but the remainder
pushed on. Suddenly I saw, in front of their lines, the rebel color-guard, proudly
waving the fiag of the Forty-first Alabama Infantry.
" I yelled to my comrades that we should capture those colors, and, dashing for-
ward about ten rods in advance of our line, dropped down behind some rails that
formed a small shelter between two trees. Here I watched my opportunity, and
when our line got a little closer jumped over and captured color-bearer and fiag
and also one of the color-guard."
Sergeant Lester G. Hack, of Company F, Fifth Vermont Infantry, adds another
chapter to the many phases of the contest on the 2d of April.
— 508 —
"When we had driven the rebels from their works," he says, "every man began
to shift for himself, pursuing the enemy, who were fleeing helter skelter in all
directions.
"About one hundred yards to my right a small body of rebels were commencmg
to rally round their colors. I rushed at the color-sergeant and jerked the colors
from his hands, at the same time ordering the rebels around me to surrender. Some
of them obeyed mjt command, but the majority took to flight."
Private Frank Fesq, of Company A, Fortieth New Jersey Infantry, came face to
face with the color-bearer of the Eighteenth North Carolina Infantry. In the ensu-
ing struggle his hand was almost smashed and he was severely cut in the thigh with
a rebel sabre, but he captured the colors.
While this fighting was going on the Twenty-fourth Army Corps, commanded by
Geneiul Gibbon, carried Forts Gregg and Baldwin, which the Confederates had
erected to protect their right at Petersburg. This capture practically secured posses-
sion of the place and induced the rebels, after the loss of their works, to evacuate
Petersburg and retreat.
Sergeant Charles E. Hunter, of Company E, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry,
w^hose regiment took part in this important action, says that the men fought for
twenty-seven minutes outside of the parapet before the enemy surrendered. It was
a herculean struggle, but ended with a brilliant victory for the attacking Federals,
who would not yield until they accomplished their task. Sergeant Hunter had the
honor of being the first color-bearer to enter Fort Gregg and plant his flag on the
rebel stronghold. His conduct throughout the Appomattox campaign, and especially
at Fort Gregg, was so exceptionally brave that two months later the Medal of Honor
was pinned on his breast.
Captain J. Wallace Scott, of Company D, One hundred and fifty-seventh Penn-
sylvania Infantry, while leading his men at the battle of Five Forks, encountered a
Confederate carrying the flag of the Sixteenth South Carolina Infantr}^ and in the
ensuing struggle for its possession the captain wrested the flag from the Confederate
and brought it safely off the field.
Private John Ewing, of Company E, Two hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania
Infantry, performed a similar deed at Petersburg the following day, where he cap-
tured the standard of the Sixty-first Alabama Infantry.
The courage and daring required in the capture of a battle-flag can best be ap-
preciated by those who have taken part in or witnessed a hand-to-hand combat for
the possession of one. It is a struggle to the death. Although many, during the
great war. attempted the capture of the enemy's flags, few succeeded, the majority
paying for their efforts with their life-blood.
While others figured conspicuously in this battle and were rewarded with the
Medal of Honor, their valorous deeds must be omitted from these pages owing to
the inability of the compilers to obtain their personal reminiscences.
ATTRACTED GENERAL CUSTER'S ATTENTION
VILMOK W. SLACKMAB,
Lleulenanl. Compaay H.lit
,., ,, (.g^_
Hlgliest rank att'nrd ; Capt.
A T THE battle of Five Forks, Va., April 1, 1865,
*~^ Lieutenant Wilmon W. Blackmar, of Com- -
pany H, First West Virginia Cavalry was brigade
provost-marshal on the staff of General Capehart,
commander of the Third Brigade of General Cus-
ter's Cavalry Division. General Capehart's Brig-
ade had been ordered to join in the general charge
and follow what seemed to be the main body of the
Confederates. The order was carried out. Presently
Lieutenant Blackmar saw the flankers being driven in
and riding to their assistance made the startling discovery
that the brigade was in pursuit of a small detachment only, the
main body of the enemy being posted in another direction. He
also observed that the enemy were about to take advantage of
the mistake and by a bold move push their troops between the
cavalry and infantry in the Union line of battle. He rode
rapidly after and overtook his brigade commander, hastily told BorninBriBtoi,p«.,juiyi84i.
what he had discovered and was ordered to ride back at once
and form the brigade in line of battle (facing the enemy's position) as rapidly as
it should be turned back to him. He formed a new line of battle on the edge of a
deep ditch facing in the new direction. The situation was highly critical, and no
one realized the danger more keenly than Lieutenant Blackmar. He had no author-
ity to give orders to advance, nevertheless he assumed the responsibility, not waiting
for the arrival of the larger portion of the brigade now moving rapidly toward the
new line, and with the brigade colors and that portion of the brigade which had
arrived, he ordered a charge, jumped the ditch and a most brilliant and impetuous
charge was thus begun. The charge was made so irresistibly that the Confederates
fled in great confusion ; the brigade pursued for more than five miles, picking up
prisoners, cannon, wagons and ambulances from the utterly demoralized enemy.
General George A. Custer, happened to be an eye-witness of this incident and riding
to Lieutenant Blackmar's side he laid his hand on his shoulder and called him captain,
at the same time joining in the charge. Recommendations from Generals Custer and
Capehart promptly brought Lieutenant Blackmar commission as captain of cavalry.
/^N THE 31st of March, 1865, Sheridan's Cavalry Corps developed two divisions of
^■^ Confederate infantry and one of cavalry near Five Forks, Va., and Major
Horatio King, chief quartermaster of the first division, feeling that he could safely
leave his train in charge of the senior brigade quartermaster, tendered his services
to General Devin as a volunteer aide on his staff and was granted permission to
accompany him. Owing to the wooded character of the country the cavalry fought
dismounted. The ground was stubbornly contested until about four F. M., when a
report wu bronght from the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry that the Federal line was
driven back. At this time Major King was the only staff officer remaining with Gen-
eral Devin, commanding the division, and he was requested
to hnnt up the reserve brigade ander General Gibbs and
hnrry them to the aid of the Second Brigade. The reserve
was somewhere on the extreme left of the line, so, follow-
ing the direction of the firing with all possible speed for
aboat three-quarters of a mile, the major found General
Gibbs, delivered his orders, and proceeded with him at once
to the critical position where the brigade was deployed.
They arrived just in time to repel a charge of the Confed-
erate infantry and save the line from serious disaster,
Major King accompanying General Gibbs and participating
in the chai^.
The fighting continued until dark, when, finding that
the troops he had were unequal to the task of dislodging
the Confederates from their strong works. General Devin
withdrew his forces to the neighborhood of Dinwiddie Court
House. On the following day, in consequence of the imminent danger of the tiain.
General Sheridan directed Major King to return and resume chaige.
HOKATIO XXXa,
lift]. >Dd QurtcrmMter, U.S.T.
HiRhMt rank attKlBcd ;
BKTet«oIanFl, U.S. VoIoBtans.
Bora InfortlanJ.MaUw,
IVccmbcr n, USi .
ENGINEER, SURGEON AND HERO
'T'he siege of Petersburg was terminated by the action of
^ April 2, 1865. Lee withdrew on the 3d, leaving Peters-
burg and Eichmond in the possession of the Union generals.
This scene is remarkable in the history of the Civil War for
the terrible losses suffered by both armies. In this fierce
assault of April 2d the number of Union killed and wounded
was estimated at 3,361, the Confederate loss being some-
what less.
Among the many exhibitions of courage in the field and
valuable services rendered by officers on this occasion were
those of Dr. William R. D. Blackwood, of the Forty-eighth
Pennsylvania. The doctor had served several times as aide-
"'¥(f!-v'i""il'-irt"Mir''' ' de-camp and as volunteer engineer officer. The inside work
ih.r»i.t»Nnyw.«-Lir.i«.i.i. pf tlio Petersburg Mine, the longest and most extensive on
record, was largely engineered by this officer.
' lOiirly in the morning of the last assault Major Peckbam, adjutant-general of the
briguile, wa.s wounded in the head during a heavy attack of the enemy. He lay for
some time aoder the Confederate guns, the shells horsting all around him, until Dr.
Blackwood rushed out at the risk of his life and conveyed him to shelter behind
some low earthworks. Almost immediately this protection was destroyed by shells,
which killed and wounded several who were near the spot. The doctor's efforts to
save Major Peckham failed, and he died within an hour.
"AT THE RrSK OF HIS LIFE CONVEYED HIM TO SHELTER.'
Dr. Blackwood performed a similar service in the case oE Colonel G. W. Gowen
of his regiment, who died as he was being carried from the field, and it was for his
heroic efforts to save the body from destruction by the incessant shell-fire of the.
enemy that the doctor received the Medal of Honor.
'THEY CANT DRIVE YOU OUT OF HERE'
EAELT in the day on April 2, 1865, General Hartranft'a Division captured a number
of forts around Petersburg. In the afternoon the general detailed Captain
Thomas W. Hoffman, of Company A, Two hundred and eighth Pennsylvania Infantry,
viho was attached to his staff as engineer, to ascertain
the possibility of holding the advanced position. When he
arrived at the front line he heard the order to fall back given
and saw some of the officers run to the rear in undue haste.
The men, too, were on the point of retreating; some of them,
in fact, had already turned to the rear. The idea seemed to
prevail that the Confederates, who were howling;, shouting
and fighting in front like demons, were flanking the advance
guard. Captain Hoffman's timely arrival on the scene pre-
vented a rout. He quickly drew his sword and yelled at the
top of his voice : " Don't a man of you run ! They can't
drive you out of here ! "
This had a reassuring effect. The men regained their
confidence as soon as they saw that somebody was in com-
mand, the officers returned to their posts and the lines were re-established and
presented such a solid front that the rebels did not even dare to make a serious
attack, but were satisfied after several unfruitful attempts to leave the Federals
masters of the field. Captain Hoffman was also brevetted lieutenant-colonel for
this act.
THOXAB w. hoffxah.
Captain. Co. A, !Oeth Fa. Int.
HlKhmtrankatlalnpd:
Brevet Lleut.-Col. U. S. Vols,
Born at Berrysborg, Pa., Jnly
A HERO FROM THE SOUTH
WITH an innate love for justice and the righteous-
ness of the Union cause seventeen-year-old
Charles Reeder tore away from his home in a little
Virginia village and joined the Union army at the
very outbreak of the war. This was the more praise-
worthy as he had been reared amidst surroundings
which were decidedly hostile to Northern sentiment
His father was a stanch follower of the Confederate
cause and objected to his course. But young Reeder's
mind was made up. In the conflict between home and
parents and the Union and justice he did not hesitate
in making his choice and decided for the latter. He
enlisted in the Federal Army and became a private in
Company G, Twelfth West Virginia Infantry.
In speaking of the action in which he won the
medal, he says : " In the early dawn of the morning
of April 2, 1S65, we moved out from our breastworks preparatory to making a
charge upon Petersburg. Silence prevailed in the ranks. The enemy had not flred
since the evening before, thinking probably that we would not attack them, fortified
as they were behind strong intrenchments and a field full of mines.
OHABLU A. aXBDBK,
Private, Co. 6. 13th West Va. Int.
Boni In Bamton Co., Wcat
VlrslDla, la IHJ.
— 615 —
•
" The first thing we did was to drag some heavy guns as close as we could to their
works, to force an entrance into their fortifications. When within one hundred
yards we were discovered by the enemy, who at once opened a heavy fire upon us
with artillery. Amid this rain of shot and shell we threw up some slight fortifica-
tions for our guns and returned shot for shot. This, however, could not last long,
for our defenses were slight, while those of the enemy were most formidable. Sud-
denly a large shell from one of our guns burst in their midst, throwing the defenders
into momentary confusion. Such an opening was too good to be lost.
" We received the command to fix bayonets, and then, firing a volley, charged
right up into their lines. The assault became a severe hand-to-hand fight, every
man for himself. Presently I found myself in the most perilous position I had been
in during the war. Being to the right of Company G, I was cut off from my com-
rades and lost in the wild confusion. Surrounded by the enemy I could only parry
thrusts and cuts from bayonets and sabres until almost exhausted. My determina-
tion then was to sell my life as dearly as possible, and I clubbed right and left. A
color-bearer was among my assailants and he, too, received the butt of my gun.
Seizing the flag from his grasp was the work of but a moment, and with it I quickly
ran towards my comrades, thus bringing into our lines a stand of Confederate colors."
MADE GOOD USE OF THE ENEMY'S WEAPONS
A T ABOUT ten o'clock on the night of April 1, 1865, Captain G. W. Adams, of Battery
^^ 6, First Rhode Island Light Artillery, was detailed to select a detachment of
twenty men from his battery to advance with the Sixth Army Corps in its intended
assault on the enemy's works in front of Petersburg, Va., and with this detachment
take command of all the captured guns and turn them on the enemy.
Late that night Captain Adams called his battery together and asked for volun-
teers for this hazardous duty, at the same time pointing out to them what it meant
to go into the enemy's works with only ramrods, sponge-staffs, lanyards, friction
primers and gunspikes ; that, should they be unable to work the captured guns, they
would have no means of defending themselves, except with these implements.
Twenty men nevertheless promptly volunteered, and at the outset of the assault,
when the captain asked whether any of the twenty wished to remain with the bat-
tery, only three fell out, thus leaving seventeen to perform the duty laid out for
them.
At daybreak of the 2d the assaulting column moved upon the fortifications of
the enemy amid a shower of shot and shell with such resistless force that the works
were carried and the enemy driven back. Here followed the little volunteer detach-
ment of seventeen, scaling the works and at once taking possession of twelve large
guns, but when they began to work them it was necessary to fire along the line of
works in order to drive the enemy out of the embrasures at the end of the pits, and
tonaeqamxtiy only ooe gon, a tfrentj-fonrpDnsder Kapoleon. ODuld be naed. It ws in
an exposed poBition, and the braTc cannoneere reeeired a beavr fire from tiie rebels
in the embraeur^ of the lorte tliey stiU retained. Bnt the pm was kept hot by the
rapid £re vltli which the little band poured one fanndrBd or more sboix into tbe
euemr, caui^in^ them to become demoralized and retdre. Borne of the detacbment
were wounded, while other* were nnder eorer. but the seren who serrad tliis gun so
nobly, Ktauding up unflinchinglT before the terrific fire of the enemv — Sergeant
John H. Uavron, Sergeant Arthiljald Mollwne. Corporal Jame A. Barijer, Corporal
Samuel K. Lewig, Privates Charles D. Ennis. John Corcoran and George W. Potter-
were rewarded for their bniverr and daring with the Medal of Honor soon after Ais
eventful day.
IN FULL VIEW OF THE ENEMY
I V THE latter part of )Iarch. 1 S65. the Second Divisioii of the
^ Twentv-fifih Army Corps. General William Bimey com-
manding, was detached from the Army of the James and
moved to the left of the Sixth Army Corps, near Hatchers
Bun, Va., to take part in the final operations against Peteis-
burg.
On the day before the capture of the outer lines of fortifi-
cations. General Bimey was instructed to have his dirision
in readinesss for an assault on the enemy's works in front.
His division lay behind a low ridge, which sheltered it from
the view of the enemy. Beyond this ridge and 'n~ell oat
toward the enemy's works, in an open field, were rifle pits in
which our pickets were posted. As these rifle pits were
located in open ground and within short range of the enemy's
fire, the pickets could l>e relieved only after dark. Vpon receipt of the orders stated,
General iliriiey re[ieated them to the members of his staff, adding that he desired
one of tUcm to fro out to the rifle pits at the front and learn all he could as to the
character and extent of the enemy's defenses, so that he might know what obstruc-
tions his troo[m would encounter in making the proposed attack. He stated that
this niiKtiion was m perilous in its character that he did not wish to order any officer
of his staff to perforin it, and so asked someone to volunteer for it
A f-i(fiiificiiiit KJIence followed these remarks. Captain Ira H. Evans of Company
I|(W.h I'.H.OjIoredTroops, was acting assistant adjutant-general of the division,
iUiiH UtM'itui llif; riinst important position on thb ataff, although he was the youngest
oflicur on it, at tliiii. i iinc lacking a few days of being twenty-one years of age. He
felt tliiil, \»: must perform this duty and signified his willingness to do so to the
Kenitnil.
He dismounted, and giving his horse to an orderly went np to the top of the
ridge, then ran to tiie line of the rifle pits as rapidly as possible. His course was
through an open field, gently sloping toward the rebel works, so that he was in fall
view of the enemy, who at once opened
a sbarp musketry fire on him. He |
reached his goal amid a shower of bullets,
and dropped in among the surprised
occupants of the rifle pit without much I
formality. Having obtained the infor-
mation he desired, he made his run back
as speedily as possible, amid another
shower of bullets. He was the only man
in the Union lines visible to the Con-
federates at the time, and they gave him
their undivided attention.
REWARDED TWICE
ClEST LlEDTENAHT ThOMAS W. CdSTEB,
*■ of Company B, Sixth Michigan Cav-
alry, distinguished himself at Namozine
Church, April 2d, and at Sailor's Creek,
Va., April 6th, by the capture of a battle-
flag at each place.
At Sailor's Creek Lieutenant Custer
leaped his horse over the enemy's line
of works and fearlessly dashed up to the
rebel colors. When close to the color-
bearer he received a shot in the face which
knocked him backward on his horse, but in a
moment he was again upright in his saddle and fired
at the color-bearer, hitting him and causing him to reel.
Immediately Custer reached out and grasped the flag,
wrenching the standard from the color-bearer as he fell,
and dashed back to his lines. Here he met his brother,
General G. A. Custer, and called out to him : "The rebels have
shot me, but I've got their flag." Instantly he set spurs to his
horse to charge again, but the general, realizing the severity of
his brother's wound, checked him, and told him to go to the rear and have it dressed.
This the lieutenant refused to do, whereupon General Custer ordered him under
arrest and to the rear, where it was found that the bullet had entered his cheek and
passed out behind the ear.
HE REACHED HtS .
GOAL AMIO A SHOWER
OF BULLETS.
GALLANT VERMONTERS
T-
GABSHSB 0. BAWXaiS,
lit Lleat., Co. E.U Vermont Inf.
Bom In Vermont,
Feb., IMC.
"'he Vermont Brigade, having received orders to at-
tack Petersburg, moved promptly on the momicg
i of April 2d at the given signal. After passing over
about half the distance, the advancing column was ei-
posed to a well-directed musketry fire from the froot
and artillery fire from forts on either side, which com-
pletely enfiladed the line and caused it to wraver. This
was the most critical moment throughout the entire
engagement; day was just beginning to dawn, and very
soon the enemy would be able to discover the precise
position and movements of the assaulting column. They
had been apprised of the point of attack and were ap-
parently beginning to appreciate its importance, as they
vere hastening to meet it with all the strength at their command. The wavering
of the troops was only momentary, for there arose at the head of the column Lieu-
tenant Gardner C. Hawkins, acting adjutant of the Third Vermont Infantry, who
led his men, cheering them on, until he nearly reached the enemy's works, when he
fell, pierced by a ball which passed through his head. Following the example of
the brave lieutenant, the troops again pushed on with determination. The remain-
ing ground was passed over under a most withering fire of musketry, ofiicers and
men vying with one another in the race for the works, and losing all organization
in their eagerness and enthusiasm to reach them. The line of abatis was swept
away like cobwebs, and the men swarmed over the works with yells and cheers that
struck terror to the fleeing rebels.
Captain Charles G. Gould, of Company H, Fifth Ver-
mont Infantry, was the first man of the Sixth Corps to
mount the enemy's works. His regiment was in the first
line of the brigade, and in the charge he was far in
advance of his command. Upon mounting the works he ,
received a severe bayonet wound in the face and was
struck several times with clubbed muskets, but bravely
stood his ground, killing with his sabre the man who
bayoneted him, and retired from the works only after
his comrades had come to his assistance and routed the
enemy from their lines.
After crossing the works the brigade re-formed and
again pushed forward with all the zeal of a victorious
army, passing through thickets, swamps and pine woods
in pursuit of the enemy, who were being pressed so closely that they had scux»ly
time to fire a shot. Again all oi^anization was lost, and every man considered him-
—619-
•
ftelf a host. Singly, or in squads of three or four, they charged upon whatever
obstructions came in their paths.
Major William J. Sperry, in command of the Sixth Vermont Infantry, assisted
by a few men, captured two field guns and turned them upon the scattering rebels.
Being unable to procure friction primers, the pieces were discharged by firing a
musket into the vent of each. In this manner twelve rounds were fired into the
enemy when a section of artillery came up and the guns were turned over to its
commander.
A PROFITABLE RECONNOISSANCE
/^^ APTAiN Augustus Merrill, of Company B, First Maine Veteran Infantry, relates in
^^ the following interesting manner how sixty-four rebels were captured by a small
body of skirmishers : '
"After entering the enemy's works on the morning of April 2, 1865, Lieutenant-
Colonel S. C. Fletcher, commanding the First Maine Veteran Infantry, ordered me to
advance with a few volunteers to ascertain the enemy's position and strengUi in
our front.
" I took twenty men, deployed them as skirmishers, and advanced through the
woods, coming upon an old camp. Here I captured a lieutenant and three men
belonging to Hill's Corps, who informed me that slight resistance would be made
* this side of Hatcher's Run.'
" When our line advanced I pressed on, meeting no opposition, picking up the
rebel stragglers and sending them to the rear, until I reached Hatcher's Run and
found that the enemy were in position on the opposite side. Supposing that the
corps was following in that direction, and not having very definite instructions, I
determined to dislodge the Confederates from their position if possible. To my left
was the bridge over which the telegraph road runs, defended by strong works on the
other side. Near the bridge was an old wooden mill. With a small party of men
who volunteered for the occasion, and who belonged to five or six different regi-
ments of this corps, I moved along the run to the right through the woods, my left
flank on the run. The eagerness of the men induced me to keep on some distance.
We came to an old dam, where we discovered indications that a crossing had been
made that morning, and immediately moved over by the left flank, the enemy
firing a few shots as we crossed. It was a dangerous place ; one man fell into the
run, but came out safely, however, minus his musket, leaving me fifteen armed men.
With these I advanced and captured the skirmish line, firing but a few shots.
Guarding the prisoners closely, I moved on and soon came upon a rebel guard sur-
rounding Captain John TifEt, Ninth New York Artillery. We captured the guard
and released the captain, making the number of prisoners we had thus far taken
sixty-four, mostly Virginia sharpshooters, who told of their various raids on oui
picket line dnring the winter, and acted as though they would like to overpower
onr small squad and march 03 off. I told them it would be useless to resist, as
we had a large force in the rear, and their whole line would be taken. Two of
my men then reconnoitered the woods and came to the open field, where they found
a line of battle behind the enemy's works facing the Second Corps. Their left then
rested on Hatcher's Run, we being directly behind them. I took the prisoners across
the run and marched them to the rear without being molested by the enemy. The
"1 CAPTURED A LIEUTENANT AND THREE MEN."
reconnoissance was a complete success in that the information gained proved of
much value to our commander.
"Three of the men, who upon my request had volunteered to remain and watch
the movements of the enemy, captured five more prisoners, making our total sixty-
nine. A receipt for sixty-four was given nie l>y the sergeant of the provost-guard,
Second Division, and the three other men got credit for the capture of five."
LANGUAGE MORE FORCEFUL THAN ELEGANT
e.Co.F,
Asa soldier Private John Lilley, of Company F, Two
^^ hundred and fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, was as
good a 6ghter as he was emphatic in his speech. When
there was an act of daring to be done on the field of
battle, Lilley was certain to volunteer ; when a bit of
repartee or a cuss-word more expressive than choice
passed around among the members of the regiment it
could always be traced to Lilley as the original source.
Both of these qnalities gave him a certain standing
among his comrades, and served him well in an incident
at Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865, which won for him Bominoiive ,
. Count/. P».
nnstmted praise.
The signal to charge had been given and the troops, among them the Two hun-
dred and fifth Pennsylvania, rushed forward. Three fortifications were taken with
great impetuosity and in quick succession. The Two hundred and fifth charged on
a fourth fortification. Presently the discovery was made that all of the commissioned
officers were remaining behind and the men at once fell back, but Private Lilley
who was in the lead, refused to follow suit
" What ? " he shouted, " Go back ? Not by a damned sight ! I don't care whether
there are any officers with us or not. See that fiag ? I'm going to have that or
croak."
The colors he referred to were those on the rebel works, and, suiting the action
to his words, Lilley rushed on until he found himself at the side of the rebel color-
bearer. In an instant the private had his bayonet pointed at the rebel's breast.
"Ton damned reb, surrender, or I'll blow you to hell !"
The suddenness of Lilley's appearance and attack amidst the smoke of the rifle
fire so completely unnerved the rebel th'at he stammered out :
" Tank, for God's sake, don't shoot ! '*
Several others who were near by were also awed by Lilley's sudden appearance
and emphatic command, and when he said: "Give me that fiag, and the rest
of you throw down your guns, or I'll make yon think hell has broke loose," the
color-bearer and his companions wilted and complied with his reqnest.
Lilley t^en stepped to their rear, and, with the captured flag in hand, said :
"Now march, and if you all don't keep up a step that will be a credit to you and
your lost cause, I'll fill yon full of Yankee lead ! "
By a running fire of his choicest cuss-words Lilley kept the men going at a lively
gait in the direction of the fortification last captured, when presently and to his
surprise he found that there was not a Union soldier to be seen. The rebels, too,
noticed the absence of Union soldiers, took courage, stopped and refused to go on.
"What!" exclaimed Lilley raising hia gun, "You think yon can monkey witt
me ! " Here Lilley again brought into play his whole battery of oaths, and they
rolled from his month with such ease and vehemence that this fire of oaths rathei
than his raised rifle cowed the poor rebels into submission and they again suUenl;
resumed the march.
" Now," said Lilley, " don't you damned reba try to monkey with me again, or by
thunder I'll shoot every one of you !"
This last speech had its effect upon the men and no further rupture ocenrred un-
til they had gone about half way to the fort, when a Union officer, coming out from
his shelter,. commanded Lilley to hand over the flag.
"Like hell I will!" exclaimed the plucky private, suspecting that credit for
capturing it was coveted by the lieutenant.
"I am your superior officer and demand that flag," repeated the lieutenant, with
a supercilious air.
Flushed with anger and losing his temper, Lilley pointed his gun at him and
said : " I'll be damned if you get this flag ! " and without further ado he marched
his prisoners past the lieutenant to the fort, where be turned the captured trophy
over to bis colonel. He was about to make a little speech in his characteristic fash*
ion, but the colonel, anticipating a flow of language punctuated with choice oaths,
waved his hand and smilingly said ; "That's all right, Lilley, you're a brave fellow;
you are relieved from duty for the day ahd you shall be otherwise rewarded for yonr
brave conduct."
SAVED BY HIS HORSE
JiMZB K. PEISBOL,
On the morning of
1 N THE last race of the Army of the Potomac, ending at
^ Appomattox, Va.,Sei^eant James K.Peirsol, Company
F, Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, was
acting as sergeant-major of the regiment in the absence of
the officer holding that rank. After participating in the
two battles of Dinwiddle Court House and Five Forks this
regiment with the rest of the cavalry swung along on the
left flank of Lee's retreating army until they reached Jet-
tersville, on the Richmond & Danville Railroad, forty-five
miles from Petersburg. Lee was then at Amelia Court
House, a few miles up the railroad toward Richmond.
April 5th, General Davies' Brigade of cavalry moved over to a
JetterBTille, Ta.— The First Brigade, Second Division of Sheridan's Cavalry Corps, under command of
Oetieral Davies, in its pursuit of Lee's fleeing army, encountered the Confederates on the morning of April
6, 1866, near Jettereville, Va., where the Union forces captured a wagon train and a battety of artillerr.
In the afternoon this brigade a gain went into action to rejiel an attempt made by the enemy to reach
Jettervvillo from Amelia Bpriugs, eight miles distant, and resisted every attack made by the enem;, with
but amall loss.
road farther west and captured some wagons and a battery of artillery that were
The Confederates attacked him, and the
moving oat to escape on that road.
Third Brigade of the division, to
which the Thirteenth Ohio be-
longed, was sent to his assist-
ance. After reaching the field
word came that the enemy were
advancing on Jettersville by way
of the railroad. The Thirteenth,
with some other regiments, was
hnrried back to meet this attack.
When the railroad was reached
another Federal regiment was
formed some forty rods in front
While the Thirteenth was form-
ing its line, the Confederate cav-
alry charged from a woods npon
the regiment in front. It scat-
tered and disappeared. The Thir-
teenth was ordered to counter-
charge, and was followed and
supported by a Pennsylvania regi-
ment. The charge was made with
drawn sabres and at full gallop,
driving tbe enemy into the woods
and along the dirt road parallel
with the railroad, where Peirsol
captured a fleeing horseman and
sent him under guard to the rear.
After pursuing the rebels for
some distance, there was a gen-
eral slacking up for the purpose
of re-forming the line, when
Lieutenant Hiram Piatt, of the
Pennsylvania regiment, dashed
up, and swinging his sword, said :
"Come on boys; we can drive
them." *'Well,"said Peirsol, "I'll
go as far as you do." Piatt was accompanied by two others from his regiment and
Peirsol by two from the Thirteenth. Being well mounted, they soon came up with
the still fleeing enemy as they passed out of the woods to some cleared ground.
Here the Confederates left tbe road and, crossing a fence to the left, rode to a littls
FLINQINQ HIMSELF ON THE HORSE'S NECK TO ESCAPE
THE WHIZZINQ BULLETS"
knoll. fcDin which they could aee re-^niorremencs comins near aC hand, which
acopped their retreat. The last of them to leare the road and leap the fence was
the liag-oearer of an Alaijama regiment. He waa immediately followed by a ser-
geant of the Thirteenth 'Jhio. who was with Pein-oi in pursuit. Ajs thi3 sergeant
went over -he rence his horse became unmanagea'rue and ran away with Iiim. Spnr-
TJnir liii hor?e. Petrsol -iashefl over the fence and overroofc the da^-bearer just a*
the larrer reached his ijomrades. who were ijnni-'he<i rogerher like a tIo<*k of sheep.
Peiisol 'iropT)e*i the reins and ieizefi the daif-itaff with his left hand. mis»ns his
awori in ai= right to defend iiimiwif and hia prize. But hii- horse rornmately obviated
the nei-esiity for fnrrher i-trife by wheeling and plnnirinir hirioiisly down the hilL
Peirsoi dinging himself on to the horse'i ne<'k to '^<<*ape the whizzing buJlera that
flew over him. Ad they went over the fence into the road he lost hid :§Tirrnps.
With neither rein nor stirmpa and encumbereti with rhe dag ;intl ^raS. his .-^abre
and --winging carbine, he regained the ■iheiter <jf the nmiier.
Two dav3 later in a charge at the -^ro-ssing of the river at High Bridire. near
Farmriile. ^a.. Peirsoi received a gnnahot wooed, 'mt refuse*! to leave -he reiciment.
and wa^ present at the iurrender of Lee'^ Armv on rbe -irh of April at Appomattox.
He was -hen ient with the flag to Washii:.^ca. D. '-'.. ^vhere he delivered it ro the
Secretary of War. and was rewarried with i lienrenant'i '•ommi:fsion and the M!edal
of Honor.
••[•LL STAY WITH YOL TILL YOU APE SAFE"
■ r OWE ,Tiy 1j to the an-iaunred '"oiirage and the per^ii-t-
* ency of -rjeant Stephen E. <rhandler.'*
Tliis ■.at- lent is made by Corporal Eiiirene VanBoren.
of Company A. Twenry-vourth Xew Toric *.'arairy. who
-bus pays a T^plen'iid Tlbute'oche-jenxeanciif his 'Touipany.
ind narrates the 'ripvamstam-es of the re-H'ue a^; foLIow? :
"On :he afternoon m April j. I'Hi'i. 'Tenerad Sheridan,
wishing to aj:5*.*ertain -iie w he i-^ai touts >f -he enemy, oniereii
a recooooissani'e in -lie iirerrion of ?ames Cross Roadf.
"."lur brigade wu^ ^eiw.Ted :ui- 'his iiiry. P.ie route we t-ook
led ijtf thnjugu a wootied "oimrry which was 'lonaiderablv
i.'ut 'jp l,>y b;;ls aud .■alleys, aad near Amelia Springs, the
taahionabie ■■iiriHner !>;sn-' jf rhe *oiith. we .-iaw from the
■ruiu^jiit: of a iiiil Lee'-- A-i^uu-rrain 'u "he ■.lisKmee.
pjs-i-road -j.ir ^iru-ii v-dtir 'luia a T-dle path, which we
e■^ 'htii io!'"s< ,1 ^r-.-fuiii il-o -i^' "lie iiill on the opposite
:■;[.* .>i -l-e ■!:!! -ve -la ■.w i barrery of dre new Ann-
'?d 'e:'';-i'*e :'.'.':■■ ■:•..:['[ -\i--^ ; iat-.- ; ud at the aonunit we
STsrasa s. <iBASDLsa,
■• W'n; sjou "oii.'id a
loiloww 'iowTi ■ihr'.ULrh j.
side. -TL-fi: itf v.^ -jearvd ■
str<)ng -"Hi^ v;!:!.-!! ve •yj.i
found rht^ Mi^'m-rr^.-A.
— 626 —
"Flankers were sent out in different directions, while the main body of the
brigade ' went through ' a couple of miles of the train. Judging from appearances
the train was at a standstill at the time we struck it, as fires were burning all along
the line with skillets and frying pans on them, in which * hoe-cake' and other kinds
of food were being cooked by the drivers and train escort ; but all was abandoned
in their hurry to escape. Everything in sight was captured. Orders were given to
fall back to the point where we captured the battery and we started on the return
march, but we were somewhat hampered by our prisoners, a few of our men who
had been wounded and by being compelled to drag along the captured guns. Our
progress was retarded to such an extent that the enemv's cavalry, began to crowd
us, and it was found necessary to form a line of battle in an open field near Amelia
Springs.
" No sooner was the line of battle formed than a rebel cavalry division made its
appearance, and when at a distance of forty rods opened fire. In the subsequent
fighting quite a number were wounded, among them Lieutenant-Colonel Richards,
who commanded our regiment, and I. Sergeant Chandler's horse was struck in the
forehead by a ball, the sergeant himself narrowly escaping death. He removed his
personal effects from the saddle and hastened to the assistance of the wounded
colonel. I saw him and said: *For God's sake, Chan, help me off the field. I'm
wounded and can't walk.' He at once came to my aid, and after examining my
wound said : * Let's get out of this as quickly as we can and go to some place
where we can get help, or you'll bleed to death.' He helped me to my feet and we
started for the rear. About this time the regiment was ordered to fall back to a
new position, leaving Chandler and me between the fires. The bullets flew like hail
around us. *Chan,' I said, *you will be shot or taken prisoner. I've got my death
wound anyway. You'd better lay me down and save yourself.'
" * I'll never do that,' his reply was. * No, my boy, I'll stay with you till you are
safe or we both go down.'
" A cavalry regiment of the enemy attempted to charge our men and were driven
to the cover of the woods. Bullets were whistling over our heads and around us
from both directions. How we ever escaped being riddled is more than I can tell.
However, we struggled along slowly, I being too weak to go any faster. After much
difficulty we finally reached the rear, where the regimental surgeon bandaged my
wound, which stopped the flow of blood to some extent. Just then our men were
compelled to fall back once more.
'' Chandler took me by the arm and helped me along for a short distance, when I
became so greatly exhausted that I could walk no farther. I despaired completely.
* Chan,' I said again, * go on now ; save yourself. I can't hold out any longer.' I
laid down, but Chandler remained and sat down at my side. I pleaded with him to
give up all further attempts to save me and think of his own safety. * You've done
enough for me. See how those bullets are flying again. Protect your own life ; I
can't live anyway.'
—627—
"Just then a cavalryman whose horse was played out came along. Chandler
asked him to let him have the animal and he complied cheerfully : ' You can have
her, certainly. She's played out. I can go faster on foot. Chandler now helped
me on the horse. I laid down over the pommel of the saddle, and thus we started
along at a slow gait, Chandler constantly urging the horse forward. Soon after we
were joined by Privates John Smith and George Back, of our company, who walked
at the horse's side and held on to me, while Chandler led the horse.
" The enemy, outnumbering our forces, had by this time gotten on our flank and
tried to cut us off, keeping up a terrific fire. Chandler found a stretcher, I can't
remember where, and I, being then too weak to ride any farther, was placed on it
and carried. Chandler keeping up the courage of his comrades by joking about the
poor marksmanship of the Johnnies.
" Passing a farm barn they found an old buggy. Again I was removed and placed
in the vehicle, so that I lay flat on my back with my feet dangling down at the
rear.
"They were about to start off with me, hauling the buggy by hand, when
Chandler, who was untiring in his efforts for my comfort, obtained a horse from a
wounded cavalryman. Securing a collar and a pair of hames from the barn he
hitched the animal to the wagon by means of pieces of rope used for traces.
"By this time the rebels were close upon us. They shouted * Halt ! ' and fired at
us, but Chandler set the improvised though none too comfortable ambulance in
motion and off we started, over ditches and across fields, as fast as the horse could
travel, the boys at some places where we were going down hill hanging to the
buggy to keep it off the horse's heels.
" In this manner we soon reached a place of safety, where I found proper medi-
cal care and treatment. I certainly owe my life to the courage and persistency of
my brave sergeant."
Lee's Surrender.— On the morning of the 3d of April, after the fall of Petersburg, the flight of the
Confederate army and its pursuit began about the same time. Lee pushed toward Amelia Court House,
Sheridan pushed for the Danville Road, keeping near the Appomattox River, followed by Meade with the
Second and Sixth Corps, while Ord moved for Burkeville along the South Side Road ; the Ninth Corps
stretched along the road behind him. On the 4th Sheridan struck the Danville Road near Jettersville,
where he learned that Lee was at Amelia Court House. He immediately entrenched himself and awaited
the arrival of General Meade, who reached there next day. General Ord reached Burkeville on the evening
of the 5th. On the morning of the 6th it was found that Lee was moving west of Jettersville toward Danville.
Sheridan moved with his cavalry to strike his flank, followed by the Sixth Corps, while the Second and
Fifth pressed hard after, forcing him to abandon several hundred wagons and several pieces of artillery.
General Ord advanced, in the meantime from Burkeville toward Farmville, where Lee's column was de-
tained by General Read with a small force of infantry and cavalry. In the afternoon Sheridan struck the
enemy south of Sailors' Creek, and detained him until the Sixth Corps got up, when a general attack was
made, which resulted in the capture of 6,000 prisoners.
Lee's chances of escape were now growing less and less, and on the 7th Grant opened communication
with him, but while Grant was awaiting a reply, Lee kept up his retreat and thus gained a night's march.
On the 8th Grant continued the pursuit. Sheridan gained Appomattox Station and cut off Lee's supplies,
as well as his way of escape, and on the 9th General Lee requested a suspension of hostilities and an
interview with Grant, which resulted in the surrender of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.
HUMOR, PERSISTENCY, GALLANTRY
BDWABD P. TOBIB.
S«rgeaDt-Ma]or,lBt Me. Cav.
Born fttLevlMnn.Ue.,
PBAH0I8 M. onmntaBAii.
HASBIB 8. Hi.WTBOSH,
Pint BergMnt. Co. H, Ut W. Va.
Vet.CaT. PrlTaCe,Co.F.13l8tM.Y.Int.
Born In Bomeml Co., Pa., Bom at Salem, H. Y., I88S.
" CoE aix days we had
* been pounding
at the rebels and for
six days they had been
pounding at ns," says
Sergeant Francis Mar-
ion Cunningham of Co.
H, First West Virginia
Cavahr. " In fact, the
pounding seemed to be
one of the most popu-
lar pastimes. It was
on the afternoon of
April 6th that we again
came up with them in
a strong position on the thickly wooded banks of Sailor's Creek. They were behind
rude fortifications aod the thick growth of underbrush kept their numbers concealed
from us. We didn't know how many rebels there were in those ditches until
we charged. Then we got the information in the most convincing manner all along
oar line. I was one of the men lowered to terra firma swiftly, my fine black charger
being killed under me. We were repulsed, and as we fell back over logs and inter-
leaving vines, the rebel volleys continued thinning out the ranks. Men and beasts
were floundering together in the dense thicket.
"I groped about with my eyes blinded with the smoke and fortunately bumped
squarely into a phlegmatic mule with a Confederate saddle on. He was taking in
the scenery in the most nonchalant manner and modifying the ennui of the situa-
tion by actually grazing there in that screaming pandemonium of exploding shells.
"His saddle was slippery with the life-blood of some luckless 'reb' who had fallen
beneath one of our scattering volleys. There wasn't much time to talk the thing
over with the mule. I mounted him and hurried back through the woods to the
clearing, 'where our forces were rallying.
"In going back through the woods I made several observations pertinent to the
disposition and qualifications of that mule. Of all his shining attainments two stood
Sailor'B Cnek. — When Richmond fell Lee's only chance lay in escape. He had ottered rations sent to
Amelia Court House, but when bis retreating troops arrived there on the 4th of April they found no food,
ftnd were compelled to forage through the already devastated country for nearly twenty-four hours. On
the night of the 6th Lee made a new start from Amelia Court House in an endeavor to escape Grant and
■et out for Lynchburg. Continual fighting ensued en route on the 6th, but Lee suffered his greatest loss
at Sailor's Creek, when Sheridan broke into his fugitive lines, captured Ewell's Corps and routed Gordon
and his men in utter confusion. The Federal losses were 1,200 killed and wounded ; the Confederate
losses, T.OOO killed, wounded and taken prisoners.
out as conspicuously as his e&rs. He could run very fast and I think he must hare
broken his own record while I rode him.
" He could jump like a steeplechaser and he seemed rather to prefer taking a four-
foot stump to passing around it.
"Just as I reached the rallying troops the bugle sounded 'Chaise' again and back
we went at those breastworks over stumps and
through drooping bi-anches. It took my mule
just about four jumps to show that in an
obstacle race he could outclass all others.
He laid back his ears and frisked over
logs and flattened out like ajackrabbit,
when he had a chance to sprint.
Soon I was V
ahead, far ahead
•switched his tail and sailed right over among the REBS"
of the rest of the boys. That mule never even stopped when he came to the breast-
works. He switched his tail and sailed right over among the rebs, landing near a
rebel color-bearer of the Twelfth Virginia Infantry.
" About all that I can remember of what followed was that the mule and I went
after him. The color-bearer was a big brawny chap and he put up a game fight.
But that mule had some new side steps and posterior upper-cuts that put the reb
out of the game.
— 580 —
'^ A sabre slash across the right arm made him drop his colors and I grabbed them
before they touched the ground/'
The foregoing incident, humorously told by Sergeant Cunningham, was witnessed
by General Custer, who was so delighted with the plucky cavalryman's valorous deed
that he at once placed him on his staff, and later recommended him for the Medal
of Honor. During his encounter with the color-bearer. Sergeant Cunningham was
severely dealt with by rebels in the immediate vicinity, who succeeded in wounding
him twice before he captured the rebel colors.
Sergeant-Major Edward P. Tobie's devotion to duty is exemplified by his conduct
on the 6th of April at Sailor's Creek and on the 7th at Farmville.
Lieutenant T. Little, adjutant of the First Maine Cavalry, was wounded in the
first charge of General Smith's Third Brigade on the 6th, and shortly after his suc-
cessor. Lieutenant J. W. Poor, met a like fate, whereupon Colonel Cilly detailed
Sergeant Tobie to assume the duties of adjutant. Just as the regiment flttarted on
the final charge that day which resulted so disastrously for the enem^f a bullet
pierced Tobie's foot and threw him to the ground. With great diflBculty Ite hobbled
to the rear, but upon recovering his horse, which had been caught by the colonel's
orderly, he mounted it and started for the field hospital, where he had his wound
bandaged. The surgeon advised him to stay in the rear, but finding his wound not
to be serious he rejoined his regiment, reaching it in time to go on a scout through
the woods. The regiment was on the march early next day, the plucky sergeant
with it, and though his foot pained him greatly he did not hesitate and stay behind
when the charge into the village of Farmville was made. He rode at the front of
the second battalion with Major Hall, and dashing through the village put to rout
a superior force of the enemy. In this charge Sergeant Tobie wks again wounded,
the bullet passing through his leg, killing his horse ; but upon finding that the
wound was not serious, he had it bandaged and a second time rejoined his regiment,
having in the meantime procured another horse. That night found him with his
regiment on its march to Appomattox, where for a third time he was, in a wounded
condition, engaged with the enemy.
The One hundred and twenty-first New York Volunteer Infantry took an active
part in the repulse of General Ewell's forces when they were endeavoring to recap-
ture the wagon train Custer had taken only a few hours before, and one of its
members. Private Harris S. Hawthorn, of Company F, greatly distinguished himself
in the charge by capturing, single-handed, General Custis Lee. Because of the con-
spicuous nature of this capture Colonel Egbert Olcott, commanding the regiment,
detailed Hawthorn as one of the men to conduct the noted rebel general to the
headquarters of General Wheaton.
" See the Johnnies down there ! " " Why doesn't the bugle sound the 'Charge' ? "
" You'll hear it soon enough." These were some of the remarks passed along the
LLEWELLTK F. MORTON.
Serirt.. CO. L, lOlh N. Y. Cav.
HiRhcal raok attained :
Ueutcaant-Colonel.
Bom at Scott, N. Y., Ma; II.
HUGH F. BOOM,
line as Custer's men
stood ' to horse ' at Sail-
or's Creek on the morn-
ing of April 6, 1865.
and saw the enemy
throw up breastworks
of lo^, rails and earth.
"Boys, you'll hear
that bugle soon
enough," said Captain
Hugh P. Boon, of Com-
pany B, First West
Virginia Cavalry, and
soon the command ohaelbs a. taooaet.
iitr i ■ Li Private. Co.B, nth MMS.Inf.
came : Mount, ngnt Som at Nonh Slanford,
M»s».,Jan.n,l848.
dress, forward march.
"When about 400 yards from the enemy's position," says Captain Boon, "the
bugle sounded the charge, and away we went. When our line had reached the
enemy's works I saw a battalion of their infantry a short distance to the right, and
my command being on the extreme right 1 wheeled it out of line and charged the
rebels. In the clash that followed I cut down the color-bearer and captured the
colors of the Tenth Georgia Infantry ; but I admit I felt scared when I realized what
I had done. Had I failed in checking and routing this rebel battalion I should, in
all probability, have been cashiered and dishonorably dismissed the service for leav-
ing the line of battle.
" But my action had been witnessed by one of the superior officers, who judged
that I had acted correctly."
When General Davies' Brigade made a mounted charge on the enemy's breast-
works, Sei^eant Llewellyn P, Norton, of Company L, Tenth New York Cavalry,
leaped his horse over the embankment and was one of the first to enter the Confed-
erate works. The onslaught was terrific and many of the enemy threw down
their weapons and surrendered, while others ran to the rear. Sergeant Norton
pushed on in an effort to capture all the retreating rebels possible and soon came
upon a detachment of six men working at a gun in a ravine about one hundred
yards distant from General Ewell and his staff. Thinking that the men were
attempting to spike the piece before retreating and that he might save it to the
Union forces, he rode boldly toward them and ordered them to surrender. One of
the men ran, but the remaining five, seizing their muskets with bayonets fixed, pre-
pared to meet the assault of the brave cavalryman. With one upward stroke of his
sabre be disarmed two of his antagonists, and before they could recover themselves
he struck them to the ground.
At this juncture Corporal Andrew Bringle, of Co, F, came to bis assistance and
tiie rebels laid down their arms anti surrendered. Bringle then took them to the
rear, while Norton stood guard over the gun until after dark, when a team from
General Davies' headquarters came after the piece and drew it off the field.
Sergeant Korton was promoted to sei^eant-major and brevetted first lieutenant,
and he and Bringle were awarded the Medal of Honor.
Singular in the records of the Medal of Honor is the fact that Sergeant Norton's
medal could not be presented to him until May, 1888, although it had been awarded
July 5, 1866. This happened because Norton's whereabouts after being mustered
out could not be learned by the War Department. Only by mere chance Norton saw
iu Appleton's Cyclopedia that he was rewarded with a Medal of Honor, and prompt
I inquiry brought the much coveted decoration.
During a lull in the desperate hand-to-hand struggle of this memorable day.
Private Charles A. Tag^art, of Company B, Thirty-seventh Massachusetts Infantry,
stepped out about twenty paces to the front of his regiment and up a slight rise
of ground, from which place he saw a squad of about twenty rebels in a low, pro-
tected spot firing on the men to his right Taking shelter behind a tree near by he
fired several shots into their midst, when to his surprise he observed a rebel flag
among them. Immediately he started for their color-bearer, demanding the sur-
render of the flag, which he grasped, and in the struggle for its possession he found
himself assisted by another Union man, who had also seen the colors and who was in-
tent upon their capture. The two wrested them from the rebel, but Taggart's comrade
was shot down, while he, taking advantage of an opening, rushed back witii the colors
into the Union lines. Unfortunately the Federals took him for a leader of a rebel
charge and it was miraculous that he escaped with but one slight wound on hisriglit
A NOBLE SACRIFICE
CAPTAIN William Ludgate, of Co. G, Fifty-ninth New
York Veteran Volunteers, was a prisoner of war for
a period of two days. He was captured in the vicinity of
Farmville, Va., April 7th, and released April 9th, when Lee
surrendered his army.
The occasion on which Captain Ludgate lost his liberty
was a fight near a railroad bridge, two miles from Farm-
TiLLiAKLUDOATB. villo. General Barlow, commanding the First Brigade,
'^th»t™;"^tM=''By,':!M'ir Second Division, Second Army Corps, asked for an officer
Bonitn Loadoa.Eiig., Id ISfJ.
Funrilks Tk. — During the pursuit of Lee's Army General Ord adTanced from BurkeviUe toward Farm-
TiUe. eeudiiig two regimen ta of infaotrj and a Bquadron of cavalry, under Brevet Brigadier-General Theodore
Read, to reach and destroy the bridges. This advance met the head of Lee's column near Farmville, which
It heroically attacked and detained until General Read nas killed and his small force overpowered. Thia
moaed s delaj in the enemy's movementa, and enabled General Ord to get well ap with his foroe.
to volunteer with a small squad of men to prevent the enemy from burning the
railroad bridge, as it was to serve the Union troops as a means of crossing the river.
Captain Ludgate volunteered for the duty and selected Lieutenant Bigley and
twelve men from his company to go with him.
"After marching for about two miles," the captain narrates, " we came in sight
of the railroad bridge. Owing to the steep bank, about twenty feet high on either
side, I could not see anything of the enemy, and ordered my men to proceed to the
bridge at a double-quick. Just then my attention was called to a Union -soldier
some distance away who was waving his flag frantically as a signal for us to return.
The signal came too late, for the enemy had already opened fire from their protected
position on the steep bank. Our men were completely taken by surprise, wavered
and were about to retreat, when I managed to reassure and rally them.
" Some of the rebels, bolder than the others, ran down the embankment to the
ravine where we were, eager to make the capture of our small squad. They met
with disappointment ; we captured every one of them. I then ordered my men to
the top of the embankment and opened a fierce fire on the Confederates. Although
we were finally surrounded on all sides by a force ten times larger than our own,
my men stood their ground with heroic courage, never yielding an inch, making
every shot tell and compelled to give in only when the last round of ammunition
was expended. Then we surrendered, to be set free again two days later."
CAPTURE OF FORT BLAKELY
poET Blaeelt, Ala., was a place inclosed
*^ by a line of works about two miles in
extent, composed of redoubts constructed
of earth and timber, with ditches in front,
which redoubts connected by continuous
rifle pita with salients and stockade work,
making a continuous line from the Con-
federates' left, on the Tensas River, to their
right, which rested on an impassable swamp
and thicket. The two principal avenues
of approach were known as the Stockton
and Fensacola Roads. The redoubts com-
manded the ground in their front, and had
an enfllading fire on portions of the roads
and a cross-fire on almost every point of them within the range of their guns. Three
FortBbkel;.— The inveBtment of Fort Blakel; and Spanish Fort, Ala., waacompleted on the 5th of April,
1866, and was carried on until the afternoon of the 9th, when a concerted assault was made on Blakely by
■even divisions under command of General R. S. Canby, which resulted in the capture of numerous flags,
all the armament, material and sapplies, and 8,700 prisoners, three of whom were generals, and 197 com-
missioned officers of lower grade. Prior to this assault, Spanish Fort was attacked and when it fell the
Confederates, under cover of darkness, escaped to Blakely and Mobile.
Ha)i>r-Qeii.,II.B.V.
Born In Calbonn Co.,Ulcl
July IS, 1888.
BBHBT 0. KBRRIAII,
Llent.-Colonel, ISd U. 8. C. T
St nnk attained:
ir-Qeti.,tJ. S.A.
Born in Ualae, Nov. u, IStT.
marshy laTuies, entering the works at different points, were obstrncted by fallen
timber and traversed by stockades which connected with the vifle pits on the other
aide. The fortiBcations were mounted with heavy and light guns. Three lines of
ftbatis encircled the works, and outside of these were nfle pits for sharpshooters.
After a short siege this fort was assaulted and carried on the 9th of April, 1S65.
The time for the assault was set for 5:30 in the afternoon.
Precisely at that hour Lieutenant -Colon el Victor Tif-
qnain, commanding the Ninety-seven h Illinois In-
fantry, gave the command; "Fonvanl, Xinety-
Beventh!" and with irresistible dash they ad-
Tinced and sprang with him over the para-
pet, with loud cheers charing the line as
Bkinuishers upi^u the enemy. Colonel
TL^laain made for the rebel battle-
flag on the works, with his color-
company at his heels, and l>eing
the first man n^x-iu the works
immediately cut the hsjyard
vith his sword and palled it
down, while his color-
bearer planted the
Union flag l>e-
BdethertN?{
staff. For a
moment Vif-
qaain was
hidden hy the
folds of :he
Tictoriens
(ttnner n-.ir.-
gling with
^^s« of the
TieNfl srar.d-
aidandwhe";
be had fived
kinistif from ,^.^^j. .j^^ t»sRA£4j«i£ c*= * *m»ooxoe^ PA.=t!W^ eu««-
their fo!^fe he
fourd t^ l^sve cv:<^V*anfT lyirsr by his side pjeired with a ircZlet.
T^.* ll;i:^.th r.'.iTioi? Infartry. cvnn:arded ar i led on :te ri^: wir^ t y liestenant-
Cy>t'.'^.*l Loyd Wfcearor:- i:: :ts asss"::!'! cpi>::: tbe works cash-ed ^r :be salje-ai. from
whtch a constant anc 6«ve £i¥ of artillery was kept zp frvn a mm rer o-i pecce. and
aboKt fiT^ micctes aft<r lie chai^ ««n3ie-2!ced the reci^*^* asoHfwi ii»e |«npet
HEMBT C. NICHOLS,
of the rebel works. Its brave colonel entered the embrasure of a thirty-pounder
Parrott gun, accompanied by Sergeant Switzer of Company B, and was the first man
of the regiment to enter the enemy's works. The firing of the guns was at an end
as soon as he made his appearance, but the rebel infantry
tried hard to maintain their ground and their fire was
murderous.
"In front of my regiment, the Seventy-third U. S. Col-
ored Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam commanding,"
says Captain Henry C. Nichols, of Company C, "was the I
enemy's outer works — an abatis — and at the roots of the 1
trees of which the abatis was formed was a line of rifle pits
occupied by the enemy for the protection of the fort, on
which were mounted six heavy guns, and two mortars in
the rear. Between our pits and the abatis was a muddy
ravine with a small brook at the bottom, a sharp descent
from our pita to the brook, then a plain, gradually ascend-
ing to the fort. About five o'clock. Colonel Merriam
ordered an assault on the outer works by four companies, which was made in fine
style, driving the enemy into their main works.
"The fire from the fort was terrific, and was kept up after the assault, in an
attempt to dislodge our men who were lying down on our side of the abatis, quite
exposed. It was at this time that I volunteered to make a reconnoissance, the
colonel wishing to know the nature of the ground he was about to charge over. I
ran down into the ravine and reaching the left of the abatis stopped to get my
breath. After resting about a minute I climbed into the
branches of a tree and surveyed the field with my glasses.
I found the ground favorable for the assault, and returning
to my command on a run reported to this effect to the
colonel.
"Colonel Merriam then obtained permission to chaise
I the main works — the fort^and made the assault, followed
five or ten minutes later by the rest of the colored division,
capturing the works on a run. The ground we traversed
and which I had explored had been planted with torpedoes,
but this arrangement of the enemy I was not able to detect
while on my reconnoissance."
Captain Samuel McConnell, of Company H, One hun-
dred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, tells in the following
interesting manner how he captured a Confederate flag in this_ battle :
"I had orders to lead the regiment with my company, our formation for the
assault being in double rank, one rank about six paces behind the other, with the
line of battle coming up fifty paces in the rear.
BAHUBL HcCOmtEL,
CapUln, Co. H, llVth HI. lot.
"In this order we advanced against the fort, the bullets and shells mowing down
our compaoions with merciless precision. My clothing was cat in several places
by bullets, and when I reached the breastworks 1 had only one man of my company,
Private Wagner, with me. The others went over a little distance away from us.
At the point where we reached the breastworks was an angle containing three large
guns, which were dealing out death at an alarming rate,
and making the atmosphere so smoky that we could see for
only a short distance. Nevertheless we at once be^n to
scale the breastwork, and had almost reached the top when
the guns were run out for another discharge. We were
so close to the muzzles of the guns that v/hen they were
discharged the air pressure thus created knocked us back
into the ditch. But we immediately sprang up and man-
aged to climb over the works before the rebels could reload.
"Seeing us come over, the breastwork, the gunners
""~" ' turned and fled, and some surrendered, leaving us in nndis-
THOHAB H. L. PATHS, °
l8t Liput -Qii.rifnn«Bter, putcd pOSSeSSlOU,
HLKh™mniiMt.in'd: Opt, "We Started to our left and soon came in rear of what
Born at BoBMn. MM*. o«. seemed to bo a color-guard with a flag. When within
about thirty paces they faced about and fired on us, but their shots missed. I then
fired the last shot from my revolver, hitting the color-bearer, and as the rest fled,
rushed up and captured the colors.
"Down at Mobile, Ala., I was decorated with the Medal of Honor in the presence
of my regiment in front of General Smith's headquarters, and I enjoy the pleasant
sensations of that day yet."
First Lieutenant Thomas H. L. Payne, quartermaster of the Thirty-seventh Illinois
Infantry, not wishing to remain behind during the assault on the fort, asked to be
assigned to the command of Company B, which was without a commissioned officer.
He says :
"When the bugle sounded we rose out of our rifle pita. Having advanced our
lines the preceding night, we were about five hundred yards from the fort, and
before the rebels could depress their guns sufficiently to train them upon us we
bad pressed forward and were well across the open space, had reached the fort and
were climbing as best we could upon it.
"We had to climb over lines of brush and trees piled very high and then
across a wide, deep, dry moat, filled with brush, before we could get a foothold
on the works. All the ground over which we charged was covered with hidden
torpedoes, making it doubly dangerous. I struck out for a corner of the earth-
works, shouting, 'This way. Company B!' and luckily found a place where a
fallen tree formed a foot-bridge across the moat. I crossed upon this arid a
few of my company followed. In a minute I found myself inside the works
within a few feet of a number of Confederate gunners. I ordered them to
surrender as the boys came rushing along, and they actually seemed glad to do so.
I think that perhaps for a couple of minutes I was the only man of our regiment
upon or within the works.
" As our color-bearer, Sergeant Morrell, could not get upon the works, I took the
flag from him, planted it on the side of the fort and held it until he climbed up, and
thus the flag of the Thirty-seventh Illinois was the first on the fort."
BOLD CAPTURE OF THE BRIDGE
SIOHASD H. 0080BI77,
"1 Jl T'e left Gravelly Springs, Ala., some time about the mid-
" ' die of March, 1865, on the Wilson Raid in pursuit of
General Forrest," Private Richard H. Cosgriff, of Company L,
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, narrates, "and overtook him at Selma,
Ala. After a brisk engagement we drove him from there to i
Montgomery and thence to Columbus, Ga., on the Chattahoochee
River, where he fortified himself.
"There were three bridges across the river. Forrest bad
burned two of them, leaving one for the use of his army, in
case of retreat, as part of his force was on the Alabama side of
the river, intrenched opposite Columbus.
" The remaining bridge was a wooden affair, covered with
a partition running through it lengthwise. The Alabama side, ■
on which we were posted, was protected by earthworks manned ""
by infantry. At the Columbus end two pieces of artillery were planted to prevent
a capture by our troops, while the structure itself was guarded by about 150 men
and piled with inflammable material, ready to be fired.
" We arrived opposite Columbus on the night of April 16th, and commenced an
attack on the earthworks at the left of the bridge. Our object was to cross the
river to Columbus, and in order to do so it was necessary to first capture the bridge.
This had to be done by surprising the sentinels who guarded it, for should we have
carried the earthworks first they would have set fire to the bridge at once and thus
block our game.
" About ten o'clock that night General Wilson called for two hundred volunteers
to make an assault and I stepped into line with those who responded to the call.
Vilwn's Raid.— In March, IS6o, two well equipped cavalry expeditions were sent out from Thomas*
Department in Tennessee ; one under General James H. Wilson to operate in Alabama, the other under
General George Stoneman to cut off Lee's last avenue of escape. Wilson's Raid, which began on the 23d of
March, included engagements and skirmishes at Trion, Centreville, Bogler's Creek and Plantersville, Ala.,
and the battle near Selma, Ala., where Wilson fought Forrest, defeating him and taking 3,000 prisoners.
On the 2d of April Wibon captured Selma, destroying the arsenal for arms and military stores. From
here the raid continued until the 23d, Wilson devastating everything in his course. His loBsee during this
raid were less than 700 in killed and woonded, while the Confederates lost 1,200 killed and wounded and
nearly 7,000 taken prisoners.
We were ordered to ride over the two lines of earthworks in front of the brigade at
fnll speed and not fire a shot, but dash on and capture ttie guard on the bridge.
" We did as ordered and went right over the breastworks. Here we dismoimted,
turned our horses loose, rushed on to the bridge and captured the guards before they
knew who we were.
Then taking half a dozen of the prisoners we marched them across ahead of about
fifty of us and told them that if they uttered a word or gave any alarm we would
shoot them down, and furthermore they were ordered to give the guard at the other
end of the bridge the countersign.
"It was a very dark night and under the covered bridge it was impossible to dis-
tinguish 'Tank' from 'Johnny.' Our prisoners acted according to our instructions
and when they gare the countersign we pushed them aside and rushed for the gons,
and, though surprised, the rebels gave os a sharp hand-to-hand fight for about fifteen
minutes. One of my opponents was the color-bearer, who fooght hard to sare his
colors, hot I succeeded in downing bim and seized the flag. We di-ove them back
and captnred the two guns, which we found to be double-shotted, but they never
got a chance to fire them."
A SUCCESSFUL MISSION OF
DESTRUCTION
" A BOCT the middle of April, 1865," says Lieutenant- ^
■^ Colonel Charles il. Betts, of the Fifteenth Pennsyl-
vania Cavalry, " General William J. Palmer had arrived '
at Salem, X. C, with a portion of his cavalry division,
among which were two battalions of our regiment nnder
command of Major Gamer and Captain Kramer, and
shortly thereafter General Palmer directed me to attempt
the destruction of a railroad bridge north of Greensboro,
as well as a factory to the sooth engaged in the manu-
facture of fire-anus for the Confederacy. Greensboro was
some seventy-five miles east of Salem, and was occupied by a rebel force estimated
at 5,000, whose attention it would be necessary to divert to accomplish the work
assigned to me.
"'Boots and saddles' was soon sounded and we started off in the early evening
accompanied by a guide. About two o'clock A. M. I detached Major Gamer with
the most of his command to destroy the bridge north, and directed Captain Kramer
to take his battalion and capture and bum the factory. Retaining about ninety
men with me I advanced to make a demonstration against Greensboro.
"Soon after daylight, when within a few miles of the place, I learned from a
negro in the field that a portion of Johnson's Third South Carolina Cavalry waa
— 640 —
encamped about half a mile to our right, the balance scouting to ascertain the
whereabouts of the Yankee cavalry, of whose approach they had been apprised.
The rebel camp was in an open wood on the left of a road running at right angles
to the main road which led from Salem to Greensboro, and adjoining this road was
a meadow separated from the woods by a sharp declivity and a fence. The command
had no pickets out, depending on their scouting parties to notify them of any
danger, and were then cooking breakfast. After a short conference with Adjutant
ReifE and Lieutenant Beck, who, I believe, were the only officers of the party besides
myself, I detailed a sergeant with ten men having good horses to take the advance
and charge when in sight of the c^mp, making all the noise possible, the balance to
follow in support. Those who had horses unfit to charge were instructed to barricade
the main road where we turned to the right to reach the camp, and to protect
our rear.
" We made the charge, surprised the camp, and after the exchange of some shots
the enemy broke and fled to the neighboring meadow, which we reached by moving
otft to the main road. There they had cover from a deep ditch, but being threatened
with * no quarter without surrender,' they threw down their arms and were taken
prisoners.
" After eating what they had prepared, we cut the wheels of their wagons, destroyed
what arms and equipage they had, and mounted the prisoners on the poorest horses,
taking their fresh ones in exchange. Upon drawing them up in line I found I had
almost as many prisoners as I had men in my command. I told them that our guard
had instructions to shoot without notice anyone attempting to escape, and moved
my force and prisoners out to the main road. We fed our horses, and waited long
enough for the rebel force at Greensboro to be informed of our presence by any that
might have escaped, thereby hoping to prevent them sending any of their force to
oppose our battalions north and south.
" I had been instructed to attempt the destruction of a small railroad bridge on
the outskirts of Greensboro, and sent Sergeant Seldon L. Wilson and a detail of ten
men with good horses on this mission. He succeeded in burning the bridge and
without loss rejoined the command the same night at Salem.
" When starting back I detached Sergeant Strickler with ten men for advance
guard to attack vigorously any force in front, placing a like number in our rear to
drive off anything coming in that direction. This left me about fifty men to guard
nearly twice that number of prisoners. We were twice threatened by small parties
of rebel cavalry on the road, but drove them off without difficulty. When we
reached the rendezvous where the two battalions were to meet us we found only
Kramer's. He had destroyed the factory with many stands of arms in process of
manufacture, and like myself was loaded down with prisoners. Major Gamer rejoined
the command before night, having accomplished all that was assigned to him with-
out loss."
— 641 —
WAR OF THE REBELLION— SUMMARY
Volume I of Deeds of Valor would be incomplete without a summary of the War of the Rebellion, and
in the following review the compass of the struggle for the preservation of the Union is given in as concise
form as is consistent with a clear understanding of the struggle from its beginning to its end.
In 1850 South Carolina brought many of the southern states to the belief that a state might secede
from the Union without violating the constitution, and finally, in 1860, after Lincoln's election, she led the
movement of secession followed by five other states.
The slave population of the United States was at that time 4,000,000 and its money valuation something
like $2,600,000,000, and the soul of the southern revolution of 1861 was historically the zeal of founding a new
or reunited union of States whose corner-stone should be negro slavery — the subjugation of the colored to
the white race as a normal and natural condition. The slaveholder believed in the righteousness of his
system, and rather than readjust economic and industrial conditions he would break up the Union. Such
was the social system of principles of the cotton-planting states that set the insurrection in motion. These
states, after Lincoln's election, made no effort to conceal the fact that men were being enlisted and
national forts and public property were being seized.
In February, 1861, the "Confederate States of America" were organized with Jefferson Davis as
President and the first session of the provisional government levied war on the United States by i^ts
authorizing the raising of 100,000 military volunteers and organizing the Army of the Confederate States.
After the fall of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, April 12, 1861, the first action between Northern
and Southern forces, and President Lincoln's call for troops, war was recognized as existing by the
Confederate government and a new bill was passed for volunteer troops in addition to those already
enlisted.
From this time on until the surrender of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, April 9, 1865, the fierce
struggle for supremacy was carried on, in which, during the four years of fighting, the waning fortunes of
the Confederacy became a lost cause.
Following the surrender of Lee's army that of Johnston's was expected, but not until the 14th did
Johnston under a fiag of truce send Sherman a proposal to suspend hostilities long enough for the civil
authorities to arrange a peace. Terms of surrender of Johnston's army were agreed upon between the two
generals, but the conditions given Johnston were so much better than those accorded Lee that the capitu-
lation thus arranged was disapproved at Washington. Later, on the 25th, the terms of surrender were
arranged on the same basis as Lee's, and Johnston's army, inclusive of the troops operating in Georgia
and Florida, surrendered.
General Canby, who commanded the Union forces in the Gulf, had in March opened a campaign
against Mobile, in co-operation with a naval fleet under Admiral Thatcher, and captured that place on the
11th of April. On the 4th of May he arranged with the Confederate, Taylor, the capitulation of all the
armies east of the Mississippi River not already paroled. The Confederate forces west of the Mississippi
were commanded by General E. Kirby Smith, upon whom Davis fixed his last hopes after Lee and Johnston
had surrendered, and who, after one more skirmish near Brazos, Tex., surrendered his whole army to
Canby at New Orleans on the 26th of May. Thus ended the military strife for the preservation of the
Union, and, apropos, the capture of Davis by Union cavalry scouts on the 10th of May terminated the
Southern Confederacy in its civil embodiment.
During this prolonged struggle the Northern Army was commanded successively by Major-General
Winfield Scott until November 1, 1861; Major-General George B. McClellan until March 11, 1862; Major-
General Henry W. Halleck until March 12, 1864 ; and Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, who success-
fully brought the war to a close by his persistent *' hammering," coupled with his wonderful generalship.
These commanding generals had under them, commanding the several armies and the twenty-five army
corps, such men as Sherman, Sheridan, Bumside, Rosecrans, Meade, Humphreys, Warren, Wright, Parke»
Ord and Weitzel.
The Confederate armies on the other hand were commanded by Grenerals Robert E. Lee, the two
Johnstons, Joseph E. and Albert S., Early, Longstreet, ** Stonewall'.' Jackson, Hood and E well.
-M2-
Tlie acope of Deedi of Valor doei not Include any but thow heroic deeds for which the Uedal of Honor
wu awarded, but great eredit Ii due to all the aoldlert who participated In the War of the BebellioD for
their noble work In defending the Union ; and to the departed heroea who laid down tbeir lives on the
battlefltiid, many of whom performed deeds of a most Talorous and distinguished nature, and who, had
they Burvivttd llu'lr hpraiu acU, would undoubtedly have received recognition at the hands of the Govern-
ment )iy the award uf tlu* Medal of Honor.
Tlii^ niimlH^r
r m (luya
i'iillMt>-d in tli» Fi-di-ral Army (luring tlie war by periods of 8(
e was aa follows;
2,04R
1<)H,4I6
KG,HOT
42
^.IIH
8T3
8e,H8»
For I yoM 393,706
■' 2 years 44,400
'■ 3 " 2,028,630
" t •• 1,042
Aggrogato eiilixtmcntB 2,7SO,479
Tho Htronglli of itu- hViliTiil Army wan :
January I. !«dl 10,387
'■ ■' IM-J R7B,017
" " l««a eiK.illl
" '• 18fl4 Bdll.737
January 1, Ifies 85&.4e0
March 31, 1B65 »8O,0W
May I. 1806 100,615
ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLORS.
Paob
AT THE BATTLE Or BULL RUN. ...... 1
THE BATTLE or SHILOM ' . 172
AT ANTIETA/n. 204
THE BURNING or THE CONGRESS 136
SKIRAVISHERS AT CHANCELLORSVILLE. ... 68
THE AVONITOR IN A STORA\. 34
SINKING or THE ALABAA\A BY THE KEARSARGE. . 102
PICKETT'S CHARGE AT GETTYSBURG. . . 238
THE STORAMNG Or VICKSBURG. . . . .272
BATTLE BETWEEN THE MONITOR AND THE A\ERRIA\AC. . 306
THE BATTLE Or NEW ORLEANS 340
BATTLE or SPOTTSYLVANIA. 374
BOMBARDMENT Or PORT HUDSON 442
AT THE BATTLE Or THE WILDERNESS 476
BATTLE or MOBILE BAY 510
rLANKING THE ENEMY. • * 408
— 644 —
ILLUSTRATIONS
Pagb
Introduction 1
8aving the colors a
Recapturing a drove of cattle 5
Stood his ground 7
In Libby prison 0
Saving the gun 11
"Only seven" 12
An exciting chase 14
The Mitchell raiders 17
A plucky charge 21
A gallant drummer boy 22
Private Dillon at Fort Magruder 25
"Let's capture their colors, boys'* 27
Destroying the bridge at Front Royal, Va 31
At Harper's Ferry 37
"In front of an advancing rebel regiment" ... 40
"The flag was left on the other side of the
fence" 42
"At the risk of his life" 43
"Returning to rescue a comrade" 45
"Four charges with a shattered arm ' 46
"Distinguished conduct in action" 49
"Seized one of the guidons of his regiment" . . 51
"Rolled over and over*^ 57
"I'll stay and fight it out" 59
"As we were hurrying back" 63
"We hastened the prisoners back" 65
"We loaded the gun for the last time" 70
"I got him over the wall" 72
Scanning Allen's prisoners 74
Assisting the captain 76
"Bob. Ill help the Doe-boys" 77
"Amid a hail of lead" 80
Improvised straw stack hospital 82
"I reached the goal" Si
A struggle for the colors 86
"I reached my wounded comrade" 89
"Our battery poured a deadly fire upon the
enemy" 93
"He sprang in front of his commander" 95
"Flaunted the Stars and Stripes" 98
The Sinking Creek Valley raid 103
"The battle grew more fierce" 108
"It seemed I grasped for death" Ill
Colonel Collis at Fredericksburg 113
"Stopping tlieir fire" 119
"I planted the flagstaff in the ground" 122
"We moved across the river" 124
"Like an angel among the wounded" 126
"I managed to turn the horse" 128
"Escaped unhurt" 131
"Struggled ashore waist deep in the water" . . 133
"We were holding our fire" 139
"They started with a yell" 142
"The enemy was checked" 146
Colonel Sbaler at Chancellorsville 151
"We were in deep shadow as we passed" . . . 153
"A shell exploded near me" 158
"Three of my men responded" 161
"I remained with the colors" 163
"From both sides came volleys" 165
"The enemy were upon us" 167
"They advanced with a tremendous yell" .... 174
Page
"The end of the Journey" 179
"I threw myself against the weather-beaten
door" r 181
"Single file, *march!' " 18:^
"I ordered him to 'about face' " 185
**We dragged one gun up" 189
Volunteer Stormers, Vicksburg, *.iay -2, 18G3,
192, 193
"This gave time to toss some of the shells
back" 195
"One lone soldier advanced" 199
"I seized it none too soon" 202
"I Jerked it into our lines" 207
"I sprang from the pit" 209
"I shouted to my boys: *Come on!' " 211
"He was found under his dead horse" 213
"The enemy put to disastrous flight" 217
"No Libby Prison for me" 220
"The Confederate pluckily held on to the
colors" 224
"Covered the windows and doors with their
guns" 227
"I sank my spurs into the horse's sides" 229
"I used my gun for a crutch" 234
"The captain struck up with his sabre" 241
"We broke through the Confederate column" . 243
"Demanded their surrender" 245
"And instantly he surrendered" 247
"I arrived unhurt" 249
"We deployed and started for the fortifica-
tion" 254
'I knelt down, still holding the fiag in my
hands" 259
"I picked up the colors with my uninjured
hand" 261
"My aim was to rescue my comrade" 262
"I sounded: 'To the colors' " 264
"You are my prisoner" 267
"I hurriedly passed along the front, cutting
off" 270
"We dashed through their lines'' 275
"They rushed upon the foe" 277
"We will form here" 279
"Signaling to cease firing" 281
"They waved their hats and shouted: *We
surrender!' " 286
"Driving off the rebel gunners" 291
"With my bayonet at his breast I demanded
his surrender" 294
"Dashing through the rebel lines" 297
"Repulsing the charge 299
The rescue of Sergeant Charles F. Branch by
Lieutenant T. S. Peck 303
"I sprang at the two guards" 309
**We proceeded through swamps" 311
"Waving my hat in my left, I ran forward" . . 314
"Dashing up to him, seized the flag" 321
**The poor fellow had been trying to drag him-
self along with his hands" 323
"They greeted me with hearty cheers" 325
"He struck at him with his empty pistol".. .. 330
" *I'U do it myself.' he said" 333
— 646 —
Pagb.
"Lying on the ground with an ugly wound in
his Jaw" 343
"I reached out and grasped him" 345
"Before we left, we set fire to the craft" 348
"They used their spoons" 352
"He was helped on his horse" 358
"Others were firing at close range" 362
"One bound and the rebel pickets were over-
powered" 367
"Finally had to retreat to the main force" 371
"We gained the railroad bridge and started
across" 376
"He cut the rebel down with a tremendous
sabre blow" 381
"A shell exploded at his feet" 386
"Colonel Delevan Bates at the Crater" (Peters-
burg) 391
"Immediately every gun was trained upon
him" 395
Captain T. R. Kerr capturing rebel colors near
Moorefield. W. Va 398
"I emptied a chamber of my revolver into his
breast" 400
Dr. Mary Walker at work on the field 406
"We remained in the swamp" 411
"Estes. .armed with a revolver, went' ahead
with a rush" 412
Captain Maynard preventing a general mas-
sacre 416
"They kept on the side remote from the hos-
tile shore" 421
"A bull«»t intended for me struck my mount".. 425
"General Hood was crossing his army" 429
"Gave me the colors and hoisted me up' 432
Paos
"I hastened ashore and discovered the comrade
to be Captain A. W. Beoket" 438
"As General Sheridan came dashing along".. 444
"General Uamseur is inside" 448
**He asked for a slower tempo" 451
"For six miles he carried and dragged him". . 456
"The rebels were driven through and out of
the town" 464
"The Brave Captain was Struck" 468
"Secured the flag and returned uninjured" . . . 470
"The water proved to be over six feet deep". . 480
* 'Being lifted into the saddle and held there
by two of his men" 483
"With a color-bearer on one side and a bugler
on the other" 488
"We picked Brobst up and placed him on my
rifle between us" 495
"We received their volley of fifty pieces".... 503
"At the risk of his life conveyed him to shel-
ter" 513
"He reached his goal amid a shower of bul-
lets" 517
"I captured a lieutenant iMd three men" 520
"Flinging himself on thr horse's neck to escape '
the whizzing bullets" 523
"They were hanging on to the buggy to keep
it off the horse's heels" 526
"l^witched his tail and sailed right over among
the Rebs" 529
"Entered the embrasure of a 30-pounder Par-
rott gun" 534
"They broke and fled to a neighboring
meadow" 589
— 646 —
TITLES
Paok.
Ammanition from the Dead 269
A Murderous Fight in the Dark 275
A Single-Handed Charge 423
At Antietam and Fredericksburg 114
A Message Delivered Under Difficulty 433
A Sergeant Who Wisely Disbelieved 436
An Extended Hair Cut 143
A Successful xMissiou of Destruction 538
A Dare-Devil Charge 255
A Brave Sacrifice 186
A Most Heroic and Hazardous Ride at Gettys-
burg 228
A Staff Officer's Pluck 200
A Flag the Rebels Didn't Get 201
A Dramatic Incident on the Battlefield 211
"A More Gallant Charge Was Never Made" . . 216
A Grave for a Pillow 219
A Display of Coolness and Nerve 439
A Singular Predicament Skillfully Handled.. 298
ATenged His Comrade's Death 334
A Rear Guards Heroic Work 301
A Dashing Charge at Gettysburg 239
All for His Messmate 262
A Small Party's Brave Deed 244
A Bayonet Charge the Last Hope 246
An Improvised Bodyguard. 404
A Musket Butt Argument 223
A Private's Ingenuity 292
A Colossal Bluff 293
Attracted General Custer's Attention 511
A Resourceful Artillery Officer 230
A Rescue Under Difficulties 322
Against a Superior Force 36
A Brave Bugler 260
A Woman Captured by Champ Furgeson 405
At the Risk of His Life 43
A Hero from the South 514
A Profitable Reconnoissance 519
A Noble Sacrifice 532
Attempted to Spike an Abandoned Gun 91
A Gallant Drummer Boy 22
A Bold Stroke 29
A Youngster's Heroism 35
At the "Bloody Angle" 338
A Bayonet Charge Put the Rebels to Flight. . 392
A Struggle for the Colors 86
Among the Most Heroic of the War 175
A Hero of Three Brave Deeds 4
A Daring Escape from Llbby Prison 8
Attempted to Capture a Flag 13
An Ehcciting Chase 14
A Plucky Charge 21
A Dangerous Mission 61
An Awful Barge Ride Under Fire 176
A Timely Warning 62
A Highly Honored Soldier 66
At Bloody Lane 79
Paos
A Charge In Water and Darkness 123
A Battle Brief But Bloody 315
A Ride to Almost Certain Death 359
A Successful Round-up 360
"Aim Low and Give Them H— 1" 92
A Musician as a Sharpshooter 372
A Brave Colonel and His Brave Mare 344
A Rebel General the Musician's Prisoner.... 356
A Thrilling Ride 455
A Rebel Charge that Failed 457
A Clever Tactician's Clever Achievement 458
Bold Capture of the Bridge 537
Better Work Without the Drum 56
Boldly Captured Fourteen Rebels 73
"Bob. I'll Help the Doe-boys" 77
Brought in His Major— Dead 127
Both Arms Shot Off Ill
Brave and Resourceful 208
Bruner's Brave Ride 296
Brilliant Conduct in a Fierce Battle 487
Between Two Lines of Fire 341
Brave and Devoted to His Comrades 355
Capture of Fort Blakely 533
Clever Strategy Fooled the Rebels 396
Ctiptured Two Rebels 60
Cared for the Wounded Amidst a Hail of
Bullets 81
Captured Three Hundred Rebels. 118
Colonel Collis "Pitched In" With His Zouaves, 112
Captured the Sharpshooters in the Barn 251
•*Oome on. You Brave Yank" 198
Captures His Captor 184
Charged to the Muzzles of the Enemy's Guns. 349
Captured a Flag and Two Prisoners 218
Captured Battle-Flags 298
Carried the Colors of His Wounded Comrade. 225
Captured Four Regimental Flags 235
Captured a Confederate Major 266
Courage. Energy and Military Ability 357
Captured General Vance 300
Captures His Captors and Escapes 308
Capture of a Bushwhacker Outpost 310
Charged Over a Burning Bridge 412
Captured, But Their Colors Were Saved 368
Captured a Whole Color-Guard 336
Capture of General Marmaduke 450
Distinguished Conduct in Action 49
Dropped the Pen, Shouldered the 'Musket. . . . 206
Determined to BMght, Though Wounded 319
"Don't Let Them Get Me" 494
Duty and Death Rather Than Dishonor 501
E)qual to the Emergency 401
Engineer, Surgeon and Hero 512
Eager to Fight 13
Even the Enemy Cheered 148
Fired the Bridge 30
Four Charges With a Shattered Arm 46
— 647 —
PAoa
•*For God*s Sake, Run!"— He Ran 130
Fort Huger Taken by Bold and Almost Reck-
less Bravery 132
Fought When He Should be at the Hospital. . 116
Frustrated the Enemy's Plans 206
Forgot He Was a General 224
•*Fall Out Here, Every D— d One of You!".. . 226
"Form on Me" 278
"Forward!" His Voice Rang Out 445
Gallant Vermonters 518
Gallant Service at Chancellorsville 149
Gallant Rescue of a Drowning Comrade 490
Humor, Persistency, Gallantry 528
He Waved His Shattered Arm 38
"Halt! I Want Your Flag" 446
Historic Incidents from the Fall of Ft. Fisher. 472
Heroic Rescue of Two Flags 41
Held on to the Rebel Captain 71
He Checked the Panic 324
Heroic Artillery Work of a Volunteer 331
He Saved His Guns 274
How General Ramseur Was Made a Prisoner. 447
He Kept His Colors Flying 316
Heroic Stand of a Brave Young Corporal... 69
He Paused at the Side of His Dead Captain. . 370
Heroic and Humane 415
Heroism in the Hour of Reverse 500
In Full View of the Enemy 516
"PU Stay With You Till You Are Safe" 524
It Seemed I Grasped for Death 110
Insubordination Rewarded 256
Indiscretion Brought Arrest — Bravery Secured
Release 268
Interruptions at a Rebel Breakfast 383
Incidents from Winchester's Bloody Battle-
field 418
"I Was Mad as a Hornet" 465
"Pd Rather Be Killed Than Called a Coward" 116
John Cook, the Boy Gunner 75
Kendall's Ten-Foot Leap 185
Language More Forceful Than Elegant 521
"Let's Capture Their Colors, Boys" 27
Like an Angel Among the Wounded 125
Led a Gallant Charge 99
"Lay Him in the Shade; He Won't Last Long" 205
"Let's Save Our Comrade" 328
Lost in the Woods — Joined Another Regiment. 335
"Let's Go for the Guns" 422
Left to Their Fate, But Escaped 375
"Lieutenant, What Say You?" 497
Made Good Use of the Enemy's Weapons 515
Mud Baths for Future Good Health 44
Most Brave and Intrepid on the Field 53
Merited President Lincoln's Admiration 379
Narrow Escape While Saving a Comrade 214
Nine Men Captured by One 285
"Now You Have Surrendered" 290
Only Seven 12
On Horseback Down a Precipitous Bluff 152
On Errands of Mercy 160
Our Gun Was Kept in Motion 166
Obeyed an Ill-Ad vised Order 332
One of "Smith's Guerrillas" 313
"Our Colors Are Down" 317
Overwhelmed by Sherman's Kindness 492
Over Five Barricades 463
Only One Man Lost in a Gallant Raid 478
Placed His Comrade's Life Above His Own. . 91
Planted the Colors and Rallied the Regiment. 265
Pick Off the Artillerists 273
Rewarded Twice 517
^Rescued 1.000 Rounds of Ammunition and a
Wounded Comrade 16
Retaliation 58
Rescued an Abandoned Battery 54
Routed Morgan's Raiders 180
Pagb
Risked the Death of a Spy. 280
Rescued His Comrade 327
Reached the Captain Just In Time 437
Rounded Up Forty Rebels 440
Risked His Life for His Comrades 283
Recaptured Colors and Took Two Prisoners. . 365
Retained Command in -Spite of Severe
Wounds 369
Rescued by a Drummer 342
Risked Being Blown to Atoms at Dutch Gap
Canal 477
Rescued His Lieutenant 346
Rescued Comrades from a Stranded Trans-
port 347
Rescued the Colonel's Body 354
Saved by His liorse 522
Surrounded by Rebels 87
Saving the Colors 3
Stood His Ground 7
Saved the Gun 11
Seven Wounds in Seven Days 58
Surrender — Surrender 64
Saved His Captain's Brother 120
Scouts' Perilous Plight 147
Stuck to His Colors 162
Saved a Battalion 129
"Shoot Him!— Kill Hlra!" 161
Splendid Heroism of a Private 94
Seized the Colors and Took the Lead 117
Saw the Rebel Flag and Took It 236
Severe Cost of Skirmishing 210
Saved a Corps from Annihilation 221
Soldiers as Good Samaritans 144
Sooner Fight Than Beat the Drum 289
Swimming Under Heavy Fire 420
Shot the Rebel Color-Bearer 320
Seized His Opportunity 417
Swam the River Under Difficulties 479
Stories of the Flag at Cedar Creek 449
Scenes from Hatcher's Run 452
Ten Captured a Fortified Stockade 253
The "Forlorn Hope" at Vicksburg 190
This Bugler Checked a Rout 263
The Flag Never Touched the Ground 258
Two Riders on One Horse 443
The Bonds of Comradeship 423
Thought Only of Saving the Flag 434
The Fall of Fort Harrison 431
Their Heroism Was Infectious 318
The Story of a Youthful Hero 436
Three Examples of Soldierly Devotion 363
The Capture of Five Confederate Cavalrymen. 377
Tunneled His Way to a Wounded Officer 350
The Colonel's Wrath Was Appeased 378
Thrilling Episodes Around Petersburg 504
The Hero of Fort Haskel 384
Three Men Capture Twenty-seven "Johnnies". 366
The Gallant Colonel and His Brave Adjutant. 390
They Stood by Their Guns 157
True Comradeship 171
Thwarted the Enemy's Attacks 172
Three Cheers for the Color-Bearer 97
The Sinking Creek Valley Raid 103
"They Can't Drive You Out of Here" 513
The Charge Was Made With a Mighty Shout. 239
"That's the Last You'll See of Sacriste" 155
The Joke Was on the Other Fellows 248
Though Sick, Bravely Led His Men 282
The First Union Flag In Vicksburg 215
Two Gettysburg Heroes 222
The "D— d Yanks" Didn't Beg for Mercy 137
Three Hundred Yankees Against Four Regi-
ments 140
The Struggle at the "Bloody Angle" 232
Two of Sheridan's Scouts 402
The Delay Was Fatal 233
— 548 —
Faob
Three Deeds of Valor 28
Though Wounded, Remained at His Post.... 39
Two Gallant Officers 47
The Drummer Boy of the Chlckahominy 50
To Save the Stars and Stripes 83
The Last on Antietam's Bloody Battlefield .. . 88
Too Young for Enlistment But Served 394
The Flag Was Saved 90
The Mitchell Raid 17
Traded His Instrument for a Gun 121
The Old Vermont Brigade 145
The Colonel Carried the Standard 150
Under Constant Fire for Seventeen Hours... 55
Usurped the General's Authority 240
Under a Muscadine Grape- Vine 427
Under Special •Protection of Providence 361
Under the Eyes of His Commander 469
Volunteer Infantrymen at the Gun « 107
Victory CrowDted His Gallantry 286
Pagb
Valorous Deeds at Hatcher*s Run 482
'•Well Done. Taylor" 399
*What In H— 1 Are We Here For?' 24
With an Empty Gun 32
Wounded While Capturing a Flag 86
With Griffith's Battery 10
Wit and Nerve of a Soldier-Clergyman 182
Where Disobedience Was a Virtue 242
With Bayonet and Cobble Stones 250
Within a Few Feet of the Enemy 188
Would He Have Taken the Whole Brigade?. . 329
With Eleven Men Held an Army at Bay 307
Where the Rebels Were Badly Beaten 491
"We Can Go Wherever the General Can" . . . 460
Where Others Skulked. He Stood His Ground. 466
When the Rebels Were Routed at Nashville.. 467
"We Will. Lieutenant; We Will" 469
Yearned for Liberty and Gained It 409
— 549 —
MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS MENTIONED
Paob
Adams, John G. B 110
Albert, Christian 197
Allen, James 73
Anderson, Everett W 300
Anderson, Marvin T 467
Anderson, Peter T 492
Archinal, William 192
Armstrong, Clinton L 197
Ayers, John G. K 192
Ayers, David 193
Barber, James A 516
Barringer, William H 197
Bates, Delevan 390
Beelswith, Wallace A 107
Beebe, William S 315
Beech, John P 331
Bennett, Orson W 458
Bensinger, Wm 17
Betts, Charles M 538
Bickford, Henry H 489
Biclsford, Math 103
Black, John C 99
Blackmar, Wilmon W 511
Blackwood, William R. D 512
Blasdell. Thomas A 197
Bliss, George N 424
Bonebrake, Henry G 505
Boon. Hugh P 531
Bouquet, Nicholas 15
Boss, Orlando P 351
Bourke, Billy 432
Boynton, Henry Van N 287
Bowen, Emmer 197
Brannigan, Felix 148
Bringle, Andrew 531
Brosnan, John 363
Brown, Robert B 288
Brown, Uriah H 193
Brown, W. W 17
Browne, Edward, Jr 162
Bruner, Louis J 296
Brush, George W 347
Buckingham, David E 479
Buckles, Abram J 316
Buckley, John C '. 193
Buffum, Robt 17
Buhrman, Henry G 197
Bumgamer, Wm 192
Burger, Joseph 137
Burke, Daniel W 91
Burke, Thomas 218
Butterfield, Daniel 47
Butterfleld, Frank G 171
Cadwallader, Abel G 486
Cadwell, Luman L 420
Caldwell. Daniel 485
Campbell, William 197
Capehart, Henry 344
Carman. Warren 489
Carmen, Isaac H 201
Carney, William H 258
Carson, W. J 263
Carter, Joseph P 497
Cesnola, Luigl Palma dl 212
Chamberlain, Joshua L 246
Chandler, Stephen E , . . .524
Chase, John F 157
Chisman, William H 197
Churchill, Samuel J 466 #
Clark, Charles A 152
Clark, Harrison 225
Clark. William A I37
Pagi
Clay, Cecil 431
Clute, George W 491
Cockley, David L 463
Coey, James 482
Colby, Carlos N 197
Cole, Gabriel 419
Collis, Chas. H. F 112
Compson, Hartwell B 487
Cona way, John W . . 193
Congdon, James 489
Cook, John H 313
Cook, John 75
Corcoran. John 516
Corliss. Stephen P 504
Cosgriflf. Richard H 537
Cox. Robert 193
Coyne. John N 27
Cranston, Wallace W 144
Crocker, Henry H 443
Crosier, William 378
Crowley. Michael 489
Cummings, Amos J 166
Cunningham, Francis M 528
Cunningham, James S 197
Curran, Dr. Richard 81
Curtis, John C 60
Curtis, N. M 474
Custer, Thomas W 517
Cutcheon, Byron M 180
Darrough, John S 437
Davidson, Andrew 390
Davis, Charles C. 216
Davis, George E 375
Davis Martin K 197
Day, Charles 485
Day. David F 197
DeLacy, Patrick 320
Deland, Frederick M 206
Delaney, John C 485
DoWitt, Richard W 197
Dickie, David 197
Dillon, Michael A 24
Dorsey. Daniel A 17
Dow, George P 436
Downey, William 347
Drake, James Madison 409
Drury, James 368
Duffy, John 347
Dunlavy. James 450
Dunne, James I88
Durham, James R. 210
Eckes. John N 197
English, Edmund 319
Ennis, Charles D 516
Estes, Llewellyn G 412
Evans. Ira H 5I6
Ewing, John C 505
Fassitt. John B 240
Fernald. Albert E 505
Fesq, Frank 506
Finkenbelner, H. S 494
Fisher, John N 197
Fisher, Joseph 505
Flannlgan, James 137
Fleetwood, Cnristian A 434
Jf ijTin, James E 197
Follet, Joseph L 66
Frantz, Jos 193
Eraser, W. W 192
Frey, Franz 197
Frezzell. Henry 192
Fpick, Jacob G. 117
— 650 —
Paok
Fnger. Frederick 232
Furman, Cbester 8 244
Gage, Ricliard J 254
Gause, Isaac 417
Geschwind, Nicholas 197
Gifford, David L 347
Gilbert, Thomas 439
Gilligan, Edward L 223
Gion, Joseph 148
Goettel, Phillip 284
Goheen, Charles A 489
Goldsbery, A. E 193
Goodall Francis H 120
Goodrich, Edwin 455
Gould. Charles G 518
Gonld. Newton T 192
Grant, Lewis A 145
Graul, William L 435
Gray. Robert A 34«
Grebe, M. R. William 379
Green, George 288
Gregg, Joseph 0 361
Grelg, Theodore W 86
Gresser, Ignatz 91
Grindlay, James 50I
Gninn, Thomas 197
Gwynne, Nathaniel McL 394
Hack, L#ester G 505
Hadley, Cornelius M 280
Haight, John H 28
Hanna, Marcus A 208
Hanna, Milton 137
Harboume. John H. 364
Haring, Abram P 307
Harris, feampson 193
Hart, John W 244
Harvey, Harry 489
Hastings, S. H 256
Havron. John H 516
Hawkins, Gardner C 518
Hawkins, M. J. 17
Hawthorn. Harris S 528
Healey, George W 377
Hedges, Joseph S 469
Heermance, W. L 141
Heller, Henry 144
Helms, David H 197
Henry. James 197
Henry, W. W 445
Hesse. John C 3
Hesseltine. Francis S 298
Hibson, Joseph C 260
Higgins, Thomas H 198
Hill, Edward 349
HIU, James 182
Hilliker. Benjamin F 205
Hills. Willi m G 423
HUton, Alfred B 435
Hoffman, Thomas W 514
Hogarty. WilUam P 77
Holland, Samuel F. 254
Holmes, Lovilo H. 137
Holton, Charles M 255
Hopkins. Chas. F. 49
Home. Samuel B 433
Horsfall, Wm H 35
Hottenstein, Solomon J 401
Houghton, Charles H; 3*J4
Howard, Oliver 0 38
Howard. Squire E 130
Howe, William H; 500
Hunt, Lewis T 197
Hunter. Charles A 505
Hunterson, John C 43
Hyatt, Theodore 192
Hyde, Thomas W 87
Inscho, Leonidas H 71
FAGS
Irsch. Francis 251
Jackson, Frederick i : 46
Jacobson, Eugene P 148
Jamieson, Walter 4
Jardine, James 193
JeUison, Benjamin H 236
Jewett, Erastus W 301
John, William 197
Johndro, Franklin 440
Johns, Elisha 197
Johns, Henry T. 206
Johnson, Andrew 192
Johnson, John 114
Johnscon, David. 197
Jones. David 197
Josselyn, Simeon T 286
Kappesser, Peter 284
Karpeles, Leopold 318
Keen, Joseph S 427
Kelly, Alexander 435
Kelly. Daniel 489
Kendall. William 186
Kerr. Thomas R 396
Kiggins. John 283
King, Horatio 512
King. Ruf U8 55
Kloth, Charles 188
Knight. Wm. J 17
Knowles. Abiatlier J 12
Knox, Edward M 231
Kountz. John S 289
Kretsinger. George 188
Kuder, Andrew 489
Labill, Joseph S 197
Ladd, George 480
Langbein, Julius C. J 23
Liirrabee, James \>' 197
Levy. Benjamin B 56
Lewis, Dewitt C 44
Lewis, Samuel E 516
LiUey, John 521
Little. Henry F. W 457
Livingstone, Josiah C 301
Longshore. William II 15**
Lord. William 342
Lonergan, John 226
Lorish, Andrew J 420
Lower, Robt. A 192
Luce. Moses A 327
Ludgate, William 532
Lunt. Aiphonso M 419
Lutes. Franklin W 507
Luty, Gotlieb 147
Lyman. Joel II 423
Lyon. Frederick A 447
Manning, Joseph S 293
Marland, William 274
Marsh, George 253
Martin, Sylvester H 401
Mason, E. H 17
Matthews, John C 505
Mathews, Milton 507
Maynard, George H 415
McAdams. Peter 148
McCabe, Joseph E 402
Mcaelland. James M 197
McConnell. Samuel 535
McCormack, Andrew 197
MciTonagle. Wilson 197
McGinn, Edward 197
'McGough. Owen 11
McGuire. Patrick 188
McKay. Charles W 322
Mears. George W 244
Merriam. Henry C 533
Merrill. Augustus 519
MUes, Nelson A 172
— 551 —
Pagb
Miller, Jacob C 197
Miller, uohn 489
MlUer, William E 242
Mills, Frank W 64
Mitcliell, Theodore 507
Monaghan, Patriclc H 365
Morey, Delano J. ^ 32
Morford, Jerome 197
MorriU, Walter G. 276
Morrison, Francis 364
Morse. Cliarles B 317
MulhoUand, St. Clair A. 149
Munsell, Harvey M 222
Murpliy, Charles J 8
Myers, George S 265
Neahr, Zachariah C 472
Nichols, Henry C 535
Niven, Robert 489
Nolan, John J 97
North, Jasper N 197
Norton, Llewellyn P 531
Noyes, William W 334
O'Brien, Henry D 250
O'Brien, Peter 489
O'Dea, John 192
O'Donnell, Menomen 200
O'Neill, Stephen 143
Orr, Charles A 453
Orr, Robert L* 505
Orth, Jacob G. 86
Overturf , Jacob 11 197
Palmer, John G 107
Palmer, William J 478
Parlis, Harry J 446
Parrott, Jacob 17
Parsons, Joel 197
Paul, William H 90
Pay. Byron E 137
Payne, Thomas H. L 536
Pearsall, Piatt 193
Peck. Theodore S 301
Peirsol, James K 522
Pennypacker, Galnsha 474
Petty, Philip 121
Phlsterer, Frederick 129
Plngree, Samuel E 21
Plnkham, Charles H 500
Pipes. John M 233
PIttinger, Wm 17
Plant. Henry E 491
Plunkett, Thomas Ill
Porter, John R 17
Potter, George W 516
Postles, J. Parke 228
Powell, William H 103
Prentice, Josepn R 127
Purcell, W. H 41
Quay, Matthew S 116
Quinlan, James 53
Rafferty, Peter P . . 58
Raub, Jacob F 486
Raymond. William H 248
Reddlck. Wm 17
Reed. A. U. 268
Reed, William 197
Reeder, Charles A 514
Renniger, Louis 197
Rhodes. Sylvester D 422
Rice, Edmund 235
RIchey, William E/ 266
Robertson, Robert S 324
Robertson, Samuel 17
Robinson, Eldridge 214
Ro . Frederick 197
Rooseyelt, George W 222
Ross, Marian A 17
Roush. J. Li 244
Page
Rowand, Archibald H., Jr 404
Rowe, Henry W ^66
Bundle, Charles W 1^
Russel, Milton F. 123
Rutherford, John T 329
Rutter, James M. 219
Sacriste, Louis J 155
Sands. William 485
Sanf ord, Jacob 193
Saxton, Ruf us 36
Scheibner, Martin K 292
Schmauch, Andrew 197
Schenk, Benjamin W 197
Schmidt, William 289
Schneix, Christian. . .• 197
Schubert, Martin 116
Scott, Joun M 17
Scott, J. Wallace 505
Seaman, p:iisha B 144
Sears, Cyrus 92
Sellers, Alfred J 221
Shafter, Wm. R 39
Shaler. Alexander 150
Shambaugh, Charles 58
Shapland. John 254
Shipley, Robert P 505
Sidman. George D 50
Simmons, William T 467
Slagle, Oscar 254
Slavens, Samuel 17
Slusher. Henry G 262
ismaiicy^ Reuben 197
Smalley. Reuben 254
Smith. Alonzo 452
Smith, Charles H 369
Smith, Francis M 486
Smith, Henry 1 490
Smith, S. Rodmond 479
Smith, Wilson 69
Snedden, James 356
Sowers. Michael 465
Sperry, William J 518
Sprague, Benona 192
Stacey, Charles 254
Stahel, Julius 357
Stanley, David S 460
Steinmetz, William 197
Sturgeon, James K 360
Strong, James W. 206
wtoltz, Frank 192
Summers, James C 197
Swift, Harlan J. 4(H
Stockman. G. H. 193
Tabor, William L. S 206
Taggart, Charles A 531
Tanner, Charles B 83
Stephens, William G. 188
Surles, Wm. G 94
Swap, Jacob E. 319
Sweatt, Joseph S. G 187
Sweghelmer, J 192
Swift, Frederick W 278
Stevens, Hazard 132
Taylor, Forrester L 160
Taylor, Henry H 215
Taylor, Joseph 399
Taylor, vVilliam 30
Tinkham, Eugene M 355
Thakrah, Benjamin 310
Thompson, Allen 501
Thompson, James .. # 501
Thompson, John 486
Thompson, Thomas 144
Thorn, Walter 477
Tobie, Edward P 528
Tocmer, William 197
Toffey, John J 28a
— 652 —
FAOB
Traynor. Andrew 308
Tracy. Charles n 33A
Tracy. William G. 1G4
Treat, Howell B 328
Tremain. U. Edwin 341
l^iogden. Uowell (i 197
Truell. Edwin M 383
Uhry, George 54
Vale, John 137
Vandersllce, John M 485
Veal. Charles 435
Veale, Moses 273
Veazey, Wheelock CJ 239
Vemay, James 1, 175
Vifqualn, Victor 534
Von Vegesack, Ernst 47
Wagner, John W 11)2
Walnwright. John 472
Wnlker. James C 2SMj
Walker. Dr. Mary E 405
Walling, William H 409
Walsh, John 449
Wambsgan, Martin 449
Ward, Nelson W 370
Ward, Thom s J 193
Ward. William H 170
Vvarden, Tohn 197
Warren, Francis E. 200
Webb, Alexander S 224
Webb, James W. «2
Webber, Alonzo P 372
Weeks. John H ;«0
Welch, Stephen 322
Fagb
Wells, Thomas M l-*3
Wells. William 239
Welsh, Edward 193
Wheaton, Loyd 533
Whitaker. E. W ^^-^
White, Patrick II 1^
Whitehead, Rev. John M 125
Whitman, Frank 'M 88
Whitmore, Frank M. 88
Whitney, William G 269
WIdick, A. J 193
Wilcox. William H 335
Wilhelm, George 184
Williams. Elwood N 1«
Williams, Leroy 354
Wilson, J. A IJ
Wilson, Joseph K 3
WInegar. William W 505
Wilson, Selden L 540
Wlsner, Lewis S 332
Wollam, John 17
Wood, Richard H 197
Wood, Mark 17
Woodbury, ErI D 449
Woodruff, Alonzo 453
Woodruff. Carle A 25«
Woodward. E. M 119
Wortick, Joseph 197
Wright. All)ert D 392
Wright, Samuel 137
Wright, Samuel C 79
Yunker, John L 61
MEDAL OF HONOR WINNERS
"The following four pages are devoted to the names and ranks of men who won their Medal of Honor
during the great War of the Rebellion and whose names have not already been mentioned. The
grounds of award differ in the individual cases, but they all properly come under the general head of
''For distinguished gallantry in action outside the line of duty."
ADAMS. JAMES F.
Prlv.. Co. D.. let W. Va. Cav.
AI.BER. FREDERICK
Prlv.. Co. A, 17th Mich. Inf.
AMMKRMAN. ROBERT W.
Corp.. Co. K. 39th 111. Inf.
ALLEN. ABNER P.
Prlv.. Co. B. 148th Pa. Inf.
AM^ES, ADELBERT
Ist Lieut.. 5th U. S. Art.
ANDERSON. CHARLES W.
Prlv . Co. K.. let N. Y. Cav.
ANDERSON. FREDERICK C.
Prlv.. Co. A. 18th Mass. Inf.
ANDERSON. THOMAS
Corp.. Co. I. Iflt TV. Va. Cav.
APPLE. ANDREW O.
Corp.. Co. I, 12th W. Va. Inf.
APPLETON. WILLIAM H.
l8t Lieut.. Co. H. 4th U. S. C. T
ARCHER. JAMES W.
let Lieut. 59th Ind. Inf.
ARCHER. LESTER
Serirt.. Co. E. 96th N. Y. Inf.
ARNOLD. ABRAHAM K.
Capt.. 6th U. S. Cav.
AVERY. WILLIAM B.
Capt.. Ist N. Y. Martne Art.
BABCOCK. WILLIAM J.
SerflTt.. Co E. 2d R. I. Infi
BACON. ELIJAH W.
Prlv., Co. F. 14th Conn. Inf.
BAIRD. ABSOLOM
Brig. -Gen.. U. S. Vols.
BANKS. GEORGE L.
S^rirt.. Co. C. IRth Ind. Inf.
BARKER NATHANIEL C.
SergL, Co. E, 11th N. H. Int
BARNES. WILLIAM H.
Prtv., Co. C. 38th U. S. C. T.
BARNUM. HENRY A.
Col.. 149th N. Y. Inf.
BARRKLL. CHARLES L.
let Lieut.. Co. C. 102d U. S. C. 1
BARRY. AUGUSTUS
Serfft. Maj.. l«th TT. S. Inf.
BATCHELDBR. RICHARD N.
Lieut.-Co. and Chief Q. M.
2d Corps.
BATES, NORMAN F.
Sergrt.. Co. E. 4th Iowa Cav.
BAYBUTT, PHILIP
Prlv.. Co. A. 2d Mass. Cav.
BEATTIE, ALEXANDER M.
Capt.. Co. F. 3d Vt. Inf.
BEATY. POWHATAN _
l8t Sergt.. Co. G, 5th U. S. C.
BEAUFORT. JEAN J.
Corp., Co. B. 8th U. S, Cav.
BEBB, EDWARD J.
Prlv.. Co. D. 4th Iowa Cav.
BEH^DOWS. RICHARD
Prtv.. 34th N. Y. Battery.
BEGLEY. TERRBNCB
Sergt, Co. D, 7th N.Y.H.A.
BELCHER. THOMAS
Prlv.. Co. I, 9th Me. Inf.
BENJAMIN. JOHN F.
Corp.. Co. M. 2d N. Y. Cav.
BENJAMIN. SAMUEL N.
Ist Lieut.. 2d U. 8. Art
BBNiEDICT. GEORGE G.
2d Lieut.. Co. C 12th Vt. Inf.
BENNETT. ORRBN
Prtv., Co. D, 141st Pa. Inf.
BENYAURD. WILLIAM H. H.
Capt.. Corps of Engs., U. S. A
BEYER. HILLARY
l8t Lieut. Co. H. 90th Pa. Inf.
BIEGER. CHARLES
Prlv.. Co. B, 4th Mo. Cav.
BINGHAM, HENRY H.
Capt.. Co. G. 140th Pa. Inf.
BIRDSALL. HORATIO L.
SerRt.. Co. B, 3d Iowa Cav.
BISHOP. FRANCIS A.
Prlv.. Co. C. 57th Pa. Inf.
BLACK. WILLIAM P.
Capt. Co. K. 37th 111. Inf.
BLICKBNSDERFER. MILTON
Corp.. Co. E. 126th Ohio Inf.
BLODGETT. WELLS H.
l8t Lieut. Co. D. 37th 111. Inf.
BLUCHER. CHARLES
Corp.. Co. H, 188th Pa. Inf.
BONNAFFON. SYLVESTER. J
Ist Lieut.. Co. G, 99th Pa. Inf.
BOODY, ROBERT M.
SerRt. Co. B. 40th N. Y. Inf.
BOURKE. JOHN G.
Prlv.. Co. B.. 15th Pa. Cav.
BOW-EN. CHESTER B.
Corp.. Co. I. lat N. Y. Dra^.
BOWEY, RICHARD
Sergt.. Co. C. 1st W. Va. Cav.
BOX. THOMAS J.
Capt.. Co. D, 27th Ind. Inf.
BRADLEY. THOMAS W.
Capt.. Co«. H and B. 124th N. '
Inf.
— 653
BRADY. JAM£S
Priv., Co. P, lOth.N. H. Inf.
BRANDLE, JOSEPH E.
Priv., Co. C. 17th Mich. Inf.
BREST. LEWIS F.
Priv.. Co. D. 67th Pa. Inf.
BRAS, EDGAR A.
Sergt.. Co. K. 8th Iowa Inf.
BRANT, WIDLJAM
Lieut. Co. B, Ist N. J. Vet. Btla
BREWER. WILLIAM L
Priv., Co. C, 2d N. Y. Cav.
BREYER. CHARLES
Sergt., Co. I, 90th Pa. Inf.
BRIOQS, ELIJAH A.
Corp., Co. B, 2d Conn. H. A.
BRONSON, JAMES H.
1st Sergt., Co. D, 5th U. S. C. T.
BROWN. CHARLES
Sergt., Co. C, 60th Pa. Tnf. .
BROWN, HENRI LE FEVRE
Sergt., Co. B, 72d N. Y. Inf.
BROWN, JEREMIAH Z.
Capt.. Co. K, 148th Pa. Inf.
BROWN. JOHN H.
Ciipt.. Co. A. 47th Ohio Inf.
BROWN, JOHN H.
Capt., Co. D, 12th Ky. Inf.
BROWN, MORRIS, JR.
Capt.. Co. A, 126th N. Y. Inf.
BROWNELL, FRANCIS E.
Priv., Co. A, nth N. Y. Inf.
BROWNER, AUGUST
Priv., Co. C, 1st N. Y. Art.
BRUTON, CHRISTOPHER C.
Capt., Co. C, 22d N. Y. Inf.
BRYAN. W. C.
Hosp. Steward, U. S. A.
BRYANT, ANDREW 8.
Sergt., Co. A, 46th Mass. Inf.
BUCHANAN, GEORGE A.
Priv., Co. G, 148th N. Y. Inf.
BUCK, F. CLARENCE
Corp., Co. A, 21st Conn. Inf.
BUCKLEY, DENIS
Priv.. Co. G. 136th N. Y. Inf.
BURBANK. JAMES H
Bergt., Co. K, 4th R. I. Inf.
BURK. MICHAEL
Priv., Co. D, I25th N. Y. Inf.
BURKE, THOMAS
1st Lieut. CO. H, »7th N. Y. int.
BURNS. JAMES M.
Sergt., Co. B, Ist W. Va. Inf.
BURRITT, WILLIAM W.
Priv.. Co. G. 118th 111. Inf.
CALKIN. IVERS S.
Ist Sergt. Co. M. 2d N. Y. Car.
CALLAHAN. JOHN H.
Priv.. Co. B. 122d 111. Inf.
CAMPBELL. JAMES A.
Priv., Co. A. 2d N. Y. Cav.
CAPRON. HORACE. JR
Sergt., Co. G. 8th 111. Cav.
CAREY. HUGH
Sergt.. Co. E, 82d N. Y. Inf.
CARLISLE, CASPER
Priv., Co. F, Indpt. Pa. L. ▲.
CARPENTER. LOUIS H.
Capt-. 9th U. S. Cav.
CARR, EUGENE A.
Col.. 3d 111. Cav.
CARR, FRANKLIN
Corp., Co. D. 124th. Ohio Inf.
CART. JACOB
Priv., Co. A, 7th Pa. R. C.
CARTER. JOHN J.
2d Lieut.. Co. B. 3.^d N. Y. Inf.
CARUANA. ORLANDO E.
Priv.. Co. K. 5l8t N. Y. Inf.
CARY, JAMES L.
Corp., Co. G, 10th N. Y. Cav.
CASEY. DAVID
Priv., Co. C. 26th Mass. Inf.
CASEY, HENRY
Priv., Co. C. 20th Ohio Inf.
CAYER, OVILA
Sergt. , Co. A. 14th U. S. Inf.
CHAMBERLAIN. ORVILLE T.
Capt.. Co. O. 74th Ind. Inf.
CHAMBERS^ JOSEPH B.
Priv.. Co. F. 100th Pa. Iht.
CHANDLER, HENRY F.
Sergt., Co. E., 59tH Mass. Inf.
CHAPMAN, JOHN
Ptiv.. Co. B. 1st Me. H. A-
CHILD, BENJAMIN H.
Sergt.. Ist R. T. L. A.
CILLBY. CLINTON A,
Capt.. Co. C. 2d Minn. Inf.
CHRISTIANCY. JAMES L
Ist Lieut.. Co. D. 9th Mich.
Cav
CLANCY. JAMBS T.
Sergt.. Co. C, Ist N. J. Cav.
CLAPP, ALBERT A.
Ist Sergt.. Co. G. 2d Ohio Cav.
CLARK, JAME:S G.
Priv.. Co. F. 88th Pa. Inf.
CI-uARK, JOHN W.
1st Lieut, and R. Q. M.. 6th U.
S. Inf.
CLARKE. DAYTON P.
Capt., Co. F. 2d Vt. Inf.
CLAUSEN. CHARLES H.
1st Lieut.. Co. H, 61st Pa. Inf.
CLEVELAND, CHARLES F.
Priv , Co. C, 26th N. Y. Inf.
CLOPP, JOHN E.
Priv., Co. F, Tlst Pa. Inf.
COATES, JKFFERSON
Sergt^ Co. H. 7th Wis. Inf.
COFFEY, ROBERT J.
Sergt., Co. K, 4th Vt. Inf.
COHN. ABRAHAM
Sergt. MaJ.. 6th N. H. Inf.
COLLINS, HARRISON
Corp., Co. A, Ist Tenn. Cav.
COLLINS. THOMAS D.
Sergt.. Co. H. 143d N. Y. Inf.
COLWELL, OLIVER
Ist Lieut.. Co. G. 95th Ohio Inf.
CONBOY. MARTIN
2d Lieut.. Co. B. 37th N. Y. Inf.
CONNELL. FRUSTRIM
Corp.. Co. I. 138th Pa. Inf.
CONNER RICHARD
Priv.. Co. F, 6th N. J. Inf.
CONNERS. JAMES
Priv.. Co. B, 4Sd N. Y. Inf.
COOKE, WALTER H.
Cart., Co. K. 4th Pa. Inf. Mil.
COPF, CHARLES D.
Capt., Co. C, 9th N. H. Inf.
CORLISS, GEORGB W.
Capt.. Co. C. 6th Conn. Inf.
COUGHLIN. JOHN
Lleut.-Col.. 10th N. H. Inf.
CREBD. JOHN
Priv.^Co. D. 23d 111. Inf.
CROFT, JAMES B.
Priv.. 12th Wis. L. A.
CROKER, ULRIC
Priv., Co. M. «th Mich. Cav.
CULLEN, THOMAS
Corp., Co. I, 82d N. Y. Inf.
CUMPSTON. JAMES
Priv., Co. D. 91it Ohio Inf.
CURTIS. JOSIAH M.
2d Lieut., Co. I, 12th W. Va.
Inf.
CUTTS, JAMBS M.
Capt.. nth U. S. Inf.
DAVIDSIZER. JOHN A.
Sergt., Co. A. 1st Pa. Cav.
DAVIDSON. ANDRETW
Asst. Surg.. 47th Ohio Inf.
DAVIS, HARRY
Priv.^ Co. G. 46th Ohio Inf.
DAVid, JOHN
Priv.. Co. P, 17th Ind. Mtd. Inf.
DAVIS, JOSEPH
Corp., Co. C, 104th Ohio Inf.
DAVIS, THOMAS
Priv., Co. C. 2d N. Y. H. A.
DRANB, JOHN M.
Mai., 29th Mass. Inf.
DB COSTRO, JOSEPH H.
Corp.. Co. I. 19th Mass. Inf.
DBLAVIE. HIRAM H.
Sergt., Co. I. 11th Pa. Inf.
DE PUY. CHARLES H.
Ist Sergt.. Co. H. Ist Mich. S. H.
DICKEY. WILLIAM D.
MaJ.. 16th N. Y. H. A.
DILGBR. HUBERT
Capt. Co. I. 1st Ohio L. A.
DOCKHAM. WARREN C.
Priv., Co. H, 121st N. Y. Inf.
DODD. ROBERT F.
Priv.. Co. E. 27th Mich. Inf.
DODDS. EDWARD B.
Sergt.. Co. C, 21st N. Y. Cav.
DODGE, FRANCIS S.
Capt. 9th U. S. Cav.
DOLLOFP. CHARLES W.
Corp.. Co. K. 11th Vt. Inf.
DONALDSON. JOHN
Sergt.. Co. L.. 4th Pa. CaT.
DONOGHOE. TIMOTHY
Priv.. Co. B. 6Bth N. T. Inf.
DOODY, PATRICK
Priv.. Co. E, 164t?h N. Y. Inf.
DORB. GBORGB H.
Sergt.. Co. D. 126th N. Y. Inf.
DORLEY. AUGUST
Priv., Co. B, 1st La. Cav.
DORSEY^ DECATUR
Sergt., Co. B, 89th U. S. C T.
DOUGALL, ALLAN H.
1st Lieut. 88th Ind. Inf.
DOUGHERTY, MICHAEL
Priv., Co. M, 13th Pa. Cav.
DOWNS, HENRY W.
Sergt., Co. I. 8th Vt. Inf.
DU PONT. H. A.
Capt., 5th U. S. Art
DURHAM. JOHN S.
Sergt., Co. F, Ist Wis. Inf.
EDDY, SAMUEL B.
Priv.. Co. D. 37th Mass. inf.
EDGERTON. NATHAN A.
Capt., Co. H, 6th U. a Col. Inf.
EDWARDS, DAVID
Priv., Co. H. 146th N. Y. Inf.
RLIJOTT, ALEKANDBR
Sergt.. Co. A, 1st Pa. Cav.
ELLIOTT, RUSSELL C.
2d Lieut. Co. B, 3d Mass. Cav.
ELLIS, HORACE
Priv., Co. A, 7th Wis. Inf.
ELLIS, WILLIAM
1st Sergt. Co. K. 8d Wis. Cav.
ELLSWORTH. THOMAS F.
Capt, Co. B, 66th Mass. Inf.
ELSON. JAMES M.
Sergt.. Co. C, 9th Iowa Inf.
EMBLBR. ANDREW H.
Capt. Co. D, 69th N. Y. Inf.
EMMEIT, ROBERT TEMPLE
1st Lieut, 9th U. S. Cav.
ENDERLIN, RICHARD
Mus., Co. B, 73d Ohio Inf.
ENGLE, JAMES B.
Sergt., Co. I, 97th Pa, Inf.
EVANS, CORREN D.
Priv.. Co. A. 3d Ind. Cav.
EVANS. JAMES R.
Priv.. Co. H, 62d N. Y. Inf.
EVANS. THOMAS
Priv., Co. D. 64th Pa. Inf.
EVERSON, ADELBERT
Priv.. Co. D, 186th N. Y. Inf.
FALCONER. JOHN A.
Corp., Co. A. 17th Mich. Inf.
FALLON. THOMAS T.
Priv., Co. K, 37th 111. Inf.
FALLS, BENJAMIN F.
Color Sergt, Co. A. 19th Masa
Inf.
FANNING, NICHOLAS
Priv.. Co. B, 4th Iowa Cav.
FASNAOHT, OHARLES H.
Sergt., Co. A. 99th Pa. Inf.
FERRIS, EUGENE W.
1st Lieut and Adjt.. 30th Mass.
Inf.
FLANAGAN, AUGUSTINE
Sergt. Co. A, 65th Pa. Inf.
FLYNN, CHRISTOPHER
Corp., Co. K, 14th Conn. Inf.
FORCE, MANNING F.
Brig. Gen., U. S. Vol.
FORD. GEORGB W.
1st Lieut. Co. E. 88th N. Y.
Inf.
FORMAN. ALEXANDER A-
. Corp.. Co. E, 7th Mich. Inf.
FOUT, FREDERICK W.
1st Lieut. 15th Batt'y Ind.
L. A.
FOX. HENRY M.
Sergt.. Co. M, 6th Mich. Cav.
FOX, WILLIAM R.
Priv., Co. A. 9Sth Pa. Inf.
FREEMAN. ARCHIBALD
Priv.. Co. B. 124th N. Y. Inf.
FREEMAN, HENRY B.
Ist Lieut. 18th U. S. Inf.
FRENCH. SAMUBL S.
Priv.. Co. B. 7th Mich. Inf.
FUNK. WEST
Sergt.-Maj., 12i8t Pa. Inf.
GALLOWAY. GEORGB N.
Priv., Co. G. 96th Pa. Inf.
GALLOWAY, JOHN
Comm'y Sergt 8th Pa. Cav.
GARDINER. ASA B.
Capt.. Co. I. 22d N. Y. S. M.
GARDINER. JAMES
Priv.. Co. I, 86th U. S. C. T.
OARDXBB, CHARLES f»
Prlv.. Co. e, 3U Mui. lof.
OARDNKR. ROBERT I.
Sergt.. Co. K. Mth Ma»« Int.
OARRSTT. WILL! AH
Serct. Co. O^ flst Ohio Inf.
0AS80N. RICflARD
Ser«t,, Co. K, flib N. Y. Inf
GAUNT, JOHN C
prlv., Co. O, 104th Ohio Inf.
OAYI./Jliri. LKVI B
S«rKt.. Co. A, nth Uau. Inf.
OKRK, THOMAS !■
l«t Lieut.. Ctn Klnn. Int.
aiPBS. WB8LET
8>Tf(t,, Co. R, M Conn. H, A.
Giri.-ORD, BENJAMIN
Prlv,. Co H, mil N T. Inf.
OILLKHPIR. OGOROB L.
l«l Lieut,. Corps of Eng*., U.
Mb)., mil N. T. Inf.
OINLET. PATRICK
I'riv. Co, O, Ut N. T. L, A.
OOIH-RV. LEONIDAS M.
1«I Serxt.. Co. B. MA Iowa Inf.
OOODMAN, WILLIAU E.
IKI Lieut., Co. D. UTth Pa. Inf.
0(ti;i.li, CHA9. <i.
Cap., (v.. II. nih Vt. Int.
COdRAND, OEOROE B.
Cnpl. anrl A. D. C„ U. 8, ToU,
QFlAfrp:, PKTKK
Hpritl., Co. n. nn Pa. Inf,
atlAHAM, THOMAS N,
2<l Lieut.. Cu. O. 15th Ind. Int.
(JIIANT, (3AIIRIF:L
giirg., n. a Vols.
ORAT.JOHN
Prlv.. Co, B, BIh Ohio I«f.
ORKENB, OLIVER D,
MaJ ard A. A. G., U. S, Army
OHBENWAI.T, ABRAHAM
Prlv.. Co, O, IMth Ohio Inf,
OKIBBEN, JAMBS H.
LIput., Co. C, 2d N. Y. Cav,
ORIHSHAW, SAMUEIL
Prlv . Co. B. 62d Ohio Inf.
GROBB, OBORaHI
Prlv,, Co. E^ IMth N. T. lOf.
OUBRIN, FitZ W,
Prlv.. Battery A, tat Ho. L. A.
If.\DLBT, OBQOOD T.
Corp., Co. G. «tb N. H. Vat.
Inr.
tlAGKRTT. ASBL
Prlv.. Co, A, Bmt N. T. Inf.
HAIGHT, BIDNET
Corp., Co. B. lat Mich. S. S.
FRANCIS "
kal;
Prlv., ..„, „ ,„.„ ,
IIAM.\1BI„ IlfeNRY J.,
Spriit., Ilattrrv A. lut Ho. L. A.
HANRV. MILTON L.
Chaplain, Ulh III. Inf,
HANFORD. FPWARD R
Prlv .Co. H, Id U. 9. Cat.
HANNA. JOHN
lat Seritt.. Co. B 14th V. R, C.
HAN8COM, MOSKS C.
Corp,. Co. F. IBth Me, Inf.
HARDBNBEROH, HENRT U.,
Prlv,, Co. Q, »9th 111. Inf.
HARHON AMZI D.
Corp., Co, K, Zllth Pa, Inf.
HARRINGTON, EPHRAIM W.
SerKi., Co. Q, la VI, Int,
HARRIS OEOROE W,
Prlv.. Co, B, 14«in Pa. Inf.
HARRIS. JAMBS H.
Serrt.. Co, B. SSth U. S. C, T.
HARRIS. U09BS
Ut Lieut., lat II, S, Cav.
HART, WILLIAM B,
Prlv.. Co. B. 8th N, T, C»T.
IIARTHAiNP^, JOHN F.
I'ol., 4th Pb, Mil,
HASKELL, MARCUS H.
Bnritt., Co. C. ffiCh Mbbh. Inf.
HATCH. JOHN P.
BrlB. Orn,, U. S. Voir
Corp., Co. F. 11
HATS, JOHN E
PTlv., Co. T. 4tB lowa ubt
HKi>opM, jiyaRpn
mt Lieut. 41h II. a. Cav.
HKNKV, Q\31 V.
Cr.l,. 40ih Maaa.. Inf.
HERRON. FRANCIS J.
Lieut. -Col., llh Iowa Int.
HICKBT. DENNIS W.
Sertt., Co. E, Id N. T. Cb'
HICKOK, NATHAN B.
Corp., Co. A. 8th Conn. In
HIGBT, CHARLES
- , Co. F. let P» Cav.
HILL. HENRT
Sergt., Co C. 6Wh Pa. Inf.
HILL, JAMBS
Serirt,, Co. C, ]«h N, T. H. -
HINKS. WILLIAM B
Sergt,-MaJ., 14ih Conn. Inf,
HOFFMAN, HENRT
Corp.. Co, M, Id Ohio Cav,
HOQAN, FRANKLIN
Prlv., Co. -..
HOLBHOUSB, JAMES
Prtv. Co. B, Tth Hbsi. Inf.
HOLLAND, MILTON M.
StTBl.-Ua]., 6th U. S. C, T.
HOLMES, WILLIAM T,
Prtv., Co. A, 3d Ind. Cav.
HOLTON, EDWARD A
■ t SerKt,, Co. I, «lh Vt. I"'
HOOKER. QEORGE W,
lat Lieut, Co. E, 4th Vt. Inf.
HOOPER, WILLIAM B,
Corp., Co. L, iBt N. J. Cav.
HO PPT, EDWARD
M LlPOt., Co. C, IJlh V. R. C.
HOUGH, IRA
Prlv,. Co. E. glh ma Inf.
HOULTON. WILLIAM
Comm'r Serit., lat W. Va.Cav,
HOWARD HIRAM R
Prlv.. Co. H. Uth Ohio Inf.
HOWARD, JAMES
Sergt., Co, K, IBlh N. T. iBf.
HOWE, ORION P,
Mui., Cn. C Ktti III, Inf.
HOWE, WILLIAM H,
Sergt., Co, K, Mth Maas, Inf
HIIBBELL, WILLIAM S.
'.-Hpt.. Co. A, 21"t Conn. Inf.
HUDSON. AARON R.
Prlv.. Co. C. ITth Ind. Mtd. Int,
HUQIIET, JOHN
Corp.. Co. L, Id Ohio Cav.
HITGHS. OLIVER
Corp., Co. C. I2'h Ky, Int,
HTMBR, SAMUEL
Capt.. Co. D. llBIh HI. Inf.
IMMCLL. LORENZO D
Corp., Co. r.2av. 8, Art.
irtWlN. PATRICK
mt Lieut., Co. H. Uth Ulch.
Inf,
JAMES, ISAAC
Prlv.. Cn. H. llDth Ohio Inf.
JAMES. MILES
Corp., Co. B, 3«th U. B, C. T.
JENNINGS. JAMES T.
Prlv,, Co, K, B«th Pa. Inf.
JOHNSON, FOLLETT
Corp., Co, H. 60th N. T. Inf.
JOHNSON, RUEL H.
Ma],.
. Inf.
JOHNSON, SAMUEL
Prlv.. Co. O. Bth Pa. Rw.
JOHN^STON WILLIE
MuB.,Co. D. 3d Vt. Inf.
JONES. WILLIAM
' I Serrt.. Co. A, 7Srt N. T. Int.
Int.
KAISER. JOHN
Serxl.. Co, E. 3d U. S. Art.
KALTBNBACH. LUTHER
Corp. Co. P. Uth loWB Inf.
KANB. JOHN
Corp., Co, K. laiHh N. Y. Inf.
KAUS3, AUGUSTUS
Corp., Co. H, ISth N. T. H. A.
KARR, JOHN
Lit StTgt., Co. D. nth V. B. C
KEELS, J09BPH
S-rgt-MaJ.. IMd N. T. Int.
KELLBT, GEORGE T.
Capt. Co. A, lOltb Ohio Int.
KELLY, THOMAS
Prlv., Co. A, tth N. T. Cav.
KEMP, JOSEPH
lat Sergt., Co. D, 5th Mich.
Inf.
KENNEDY^ JOHN
Prtv.. Co. M, id U. 9. Art.
KF.NYON. JOHN 3..
Sergt., Co D, Id N, Y. Cav-
KENTON, SAMUEL P
Prtv. Co. B. Wth N. Y. Cbv.
KEOUOH, JOHN
Corp.. Co. E. BIth Pa. Ini.
KEPHART, JAMBS
Prlv.. Co C 13lh U. S Inf.
KIMBALL. JOSEPH
Prlv,, Co. B. 2d W. Va. Cav.
KINDIQ. JOHN H.
Corp., Co. A. EM Pa. Inf.
KIN3BY. JOHN
Corp.. Co. B, 461(1 Pa. Inf.
KIRBY. DENNIS T.
, 8th ^
. Inf.
KIRK. JONATHAN C,
Capt.. Co. F. Kth Ind. Inf,
KLINE, HENRY
Prlv., Co. E. 40th N. T. Inf.
KNIGHT, CHARLES H.
Corp , Co. I, »th N, H. Utf.
KOOGLE, JACOB , ^
let Lieut., Co. G, Tth Md, Inf.
KRAMER, THBODORB
Prtv., Co, a. ISSth Pa. Inf.
KUDER, JEREMIAH
Lieut., Co. A, 74th Ind. Inf.
LAINO, WILLIAM _
Sergt., Co. r, JSeth N. T. Inf.
LANDIS, JAMES P.
Chief 6ugler. lal Pa. Cav.
LANE, MORGAN T>.
LARIMER, SMITH
Corp.^Co. G, M Ohl
Priv.. Cu, F, Ktl .
LEPORT^WI LLIAM^P.
Inf.
__ _ .1 N. J. Inl.
LESLIE, FRANK
Prlv., Co, B, 4th N. T. Cbt.
LITTLEFIELD. GEORGE H.
Corp.. Co. O, 1st Mo, Inf.
LOCKE, LEWIS
- ■ , Co. A, 1st '.
AS, FRANC—
, Co, H. lat Nehr. Vet.
LOVE, GEORGE M,
Col., llfith N. Y. Inf.
IX)VBRING, OBORGE M,
lat Sergt,. Co. T, 4th Mass, Inf.
LOWER, CYRUS B
Prlv,. Co. K, 13lh Pa, Re».
LOYD, GEORGE
Prlv,, Co. A. IKd Ohio Inf,
LUCAS, GEORGE W,
Prlv,, Co. C, M Mo. Cav.
LUDWIG CARL
Prlv., a4th N. Y. Battery,
LUTHBR, JAMES H,
Prtv., Co D, Tth MasB. Inf,
LYMAN, JOEL H,
Sergt., Troop B. 9th N. Y. Cav.
— 655 —
1.YNCH. JOHN B.
Prlv., Co. D, 8d Ind. CaT.
MAHONEY, JEREMIAH
Bergt., Co. A, 29th Masi. Inf.
MANDY. HARRY J.
iBt Serirt., Co. B. 4th N. Y. Cav.
HANQAM, RICHARD C.
Prlv.. Co. H, 148th N. Y. Inf.
MARQUETTE, CHARLES
Bergt., Co. F, 93d Pa. Inf.
MARSH. ALBERT
Berrt., Co. B, 64th N. Y. Inf.
MARSH. CHARLES H.
Prlv.^ Co. D, Ist Conn. Cav.
MARSkALL. A. JUDSON
1st Sergt., Co. K. 9th V. R. C.
MATTINGLY, HENRY B.
Prlv., Co. B, 10th Ky. Inf.
MAXHAM. LOWELL M.
Corp., Co. F, 7th Mass. Inf.
MAY WILLIAM
Prlv., Co. H. 32d Iowa Inf.
MAYBERRY. JOHN B.
Prlv., Co F. 1st Del. Inf.
McANALLY, CHARLES
Lieut., Co. D, 69th Pa. Inf.
MacARTHUIR, ARTHUR JR.
1st Lieut, and Adjt., 24th Wis.
Inf.
McCAMLY. JAMES M.
Capt. Co. A, 9th V. R. C.
McCAMMON, WILLIAM W.
Lieut, Co. E, 24th Mo. Inf.
McCARREN. BERNARD
Prlv.. Co. C, 1st Del. Inf.
McCAUSLIN, JOSEPH
Prlv., Co. D. 12th W. Va. Inf.
McCLEARY. CHARLES H.
Ist Lieut., Co. C, 72d Ohio Inf.
McDonald, george e.
Prlv.. Co. L. 1st Conn. Art.
McELHANY. SAMUEL O.
Prlv.. Co. A, 2d W. Vlr. Cav.
McBNORB, PATRICK H.
Bergt, Co. D. 6th N. Y. Cav.
McFALL, DANIEL
Bergt, Co. E, 17th Mich. Inf.
McGONNIGLE. ANDREW J.
Capt and Asst. Q. M.. U. B.
Vols
McGRAW, THOMAS
Bergt.. Co. B. 23d III. Inf.
McKEE^ GEORGE
Color Bergt., Co. D, 89th N. Y.
Inf.
McKBEN, NINEVEH S.
Ist Lieut. Co. H, 21st 111. Inf.
McKBEVER, MICHAEL
Priv., Co. K, 5th Pa. Cav.
McKOWN, NATHANIEL A.
Sergt., Co. B, 58th Pa. Inf.
McMAHON. MARTIN T.
Capt and A. D. C, U. S. Vols.
McMillan francis m.
Bergt., Co. C, 110th Ohio Inf.
McVEANE. JOHN P.
Prlv., Co. D, 49th N. Y. Inf.
McWHOKTER, WALTER F.
Oomm'y Sergt., Co. E, 3d W.
Va. Cav.
MBACH, GEORGE B.
Farrier, Co, I. 6th N. Y. Cav.
MEAGHER. THOMAS
Ist Sergt, Co. G, 158th N. Y.
Inf.
MEGEE, WILLIAM
Drummer, Co. C, 33d N. J. Inf.
MENTER, JOHN W.
Bergt, Co. D, 5th Mich. Int
MERRIFIELD. JAMES K.
Corp., Co. C, 88th 111. Inf.
MBRRITT, JOHN G.
fiergt. Co. K, 1st Minn. Inf.
MILLER. FRANK
Prlv., Co. M, 2d N. Y. Cav.
MILLER, HENRY A.
Capt, Co. B, 8th III. Inf.
MILLER. JAMES P.
Prlv., Co. D. 4th Iowa Cav.
MILLER, JOHN
Corp., Co G. 8th Ohio Inf.
MINDEL, GEO. W.
Capt., Co. C, 61st Pa. Inf.
MITCHELL, ALEJXANDEm H.
Capt, Co. A, 105th Pa. Jnf.
MOFFITT, JOHN H.
Corp.. Co. C. 16th N. Y. Inf.
MOLBONB, ARCHIBALD
Sergt., Co. G, 1st R. I. Art
MOORE. GEORGE D.
Prlv., Co. D. Uth W. Va. Inf.
MOORE, WILBUR F.
Prlv., Co. C, U7th III. Inf.
MORGAN. LEWIS
Prlv., Co. I. 4th Ohio Inf.
MORGAN, RICHARD H.
Corp., Co. A, 4th Iowa Cav.
MORRIS, WILLIAM
Sergt, Co. C, 1st N. Y. Cav.
MORSE, BENJAMIN.
Corp., Co. C, 3d Mich. Inf.
MOSTOLLER, JOHN W.
Priv., Co. Bj64th Pa. Inf.
MUNDELL, WALTER L.
Corp., Co. E, 5th Mich. Inf.
MURPHY. DANIEL
Sergt., Co. F, 19th Mass. Inf.
MURPHY, DENNIS J. F.
Sergt., Co. F, 14th Wis.. Inf.
MURPHY, JAMES F.
Priv., Co. L, 1st Conn. Art.
MURPHY, JOHN P.
Prlv.. Co. K, 5th Ohio Inf.
MURPHY, MICHAEL C.
Lleut-Col., 170th N. Y. Inf.
MURPHY, ROBINSON B.
Mus., Co. A, 127th 111. Inf.
MURPHY, THOMAS
Corp., Co. K. 158th N. Y. Inf.
MURPHY, THOMAS C.
Corp., Co. I, 31st 111. Inf.
MURPHY, THOMAS J.
1st Sergf.. Co. G, 146th N. Y.
Inf.
MYERS, WILLIAM H.
Prlv.. Co. A. 1st Md. Cav.
NELSON, JACOB F.
1st Serrt., Co. A. 9th V. R. C.
NEVERS, ROBERT
2d Lieut, Co. H. 8th N. Y. Cav.
NEVILLE, EDWIN M.
Capt, Co. C, 1st Conn. Cav.
NEWMAN, WILLIAM H.
Lieut, Co. B, 86th N. Y. Inf.
NOBLE, WILLIAM H.
1st Sergt, Co. G, 12th V. R. C.
NOLL, CONRAD
Sergt., Co. D. 20th Mich. Inf.
NORTON. ELLIOTT N.
2d Lieut, Co. H. 6th Mich. Cav.
NORTON, JOHN R.
Lieut, Co. M, 1st N. Y. Cav.
NUTTING, LEE
Capt., Co. C. 61st N. Y. Inf.
O'BEIRNB, JAMES R.
Capt, Co. C, 37th N. Y. Inf.
O'CONNOR, TIMOTHY,
Prlv., Co. D, 8th Mo. Inf.
OLIVER, CHARLES
Sergt.^ Co. M. 100th Pa. Inf.
OLIVEil, PAUL A.
Capt, Co. E, 5th N. Y. Vet Inf.
OPEL, JOHN N.
Prlv., Co. G, 7th Ind. Inf.
ORBANSKY, DAVID
Prlv., Co. B, 68th Ohio Inf.
OSBORNE, WM. H.
Priv., Co. C. 29th Mass. Inf.
OSS, ALBERT
Prlv., Co. B. 11th N. Y. Inf.
PACKARD. LOREN F.
Bergt Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cav.
PALMER, GEORGE H.
Mus., 1st HI. Cav.
PARKER, THOMAS
Corp., Co. B, 2d R. I. Inf.
PARKS, JAMES W.
Corp , Co, F. 11th Mo. Inf.
PARKS, JEREMIAH
Priv., Co. A, 9th N. Y. Cav.
PATTERSON, JOHN H.
1st Lieut, lith U. 8. Inf.
PAYNE, IRVIN C.
Corp., Co. M, 2d N. Y. Cav.
PEARSON. ALFRED L.
Col. 156th Pa. Inf.
PECK. CASSIUS
Berg., Co. F, 1st U. S. 8. S.
PENTZKR, PATRICK H.
Corp., Co. C. 97th 111. Inf.
PESCH, JOSEPH
Prlv., Battery A, Ist Mo. L. A.
PHILLIPS, JOSIAH
Prlv.. Co. E, 148 Pa. Inf.
PICKLE, ALONZO H.
Sergt., Co. B, Ist Mln. Inf.
PINN, ROBERT
1st Sergt., Co. I, 5th U. S. C. T.
PITTMAN, GEORGE J.
Bergt., Co. C, 1st N. Y. Cav.
PLATT, GEORGE C.
Priv., Troop H, 6th U. S. Cav.
PLOWMAN, GEORGE H.
Sergt.-MaJ., 3d Md. Inf.
PORTER, HORACE
Brev. Brig. -Gen., U. S. A.
PORTER, WILLIAM
Sergt., Co. H. 1st N. J. Cav.
POST, PHILIP SIDNETT
Col., 69th 111. Inf.
POTTER, NORMAN F.
1st Sergt., Co. E, 149th N. Y.
Inf.
POWERS. WESLEY .T.
Prlv., Co. F, 147th 111. Inf.
PRESTON, NOBLE D.
Capt., Co. A, 10th N. jY. Cav.
PURMAN, JAMES J.
Lieut Co. A, 140th Pa. Inf.
PUTNAM. EDGAR B.
Sergt., Co. D, 9th N. Y. Cav.
RAND, CHARLES F.
Prlv.. Co. K. 12th N. Y. Inf.
RANNEY, MYRON H.
Prlv., Co. G, 13th N. Y. Inf.
RANSBOTTOM, ALFRED
1st Sergt. Co. K, 97th Ohio
Inf.
RATCLIFF, EDWARD
1st Sergt., Co. C, 38th U. S.
C T
READ. 'mORT a.
Lieut, Co. D, 8th U. S. Cav*
REBMANN. GEORGE F.
Sergt., Co. B, 119th 111. Inf.
REED, CHARLES W.
Bugler, 9th Mass. Battery.
REED, GEORGE W.
Prlv.. Co. E, 11th Pa. Inf.
REED, THOMAS
Prlv., Co. C. 27th N. J. Inf.
REID, ROBERT
Prlv., Co. G, 48th Pa. Inf.
REIGLE. DANIEL P.
Corp., Co. F, 87th Pa. Inf.
REYNOLDS. GEORGE
Prlv. Co. M.. 9th N. Y. Cav.
(RHODES, JULIUS
Prlv., Co. F, 5th N. Y. Cav.
RICH. CARLOS H.
1st Sergt. Co. D, 4th Vt Inf.
RICHARDSON, WILLIAM R
Prlv., Co. A. 2d Ohio Cav.
RICHMOND. JAMES
Prlv., Co. F. 8th Ohio Inf.
RICKSECKER. JOHN H.
Prlv.. Co. D, 104th Ohio Inf.
RIDDELL, RUDOLPH
Lieut. Co. I. 61st N. Y. Inf.
RILEY. THOMAS
Prlv., Co. D. 1st La. <:av.
RIPLEY, WILLIAM Y. W.
Lieut-Col., 1st U. S. S. S.
ROBBINS, AUGUSTUS J.
2d Lieut. Co. B. 2d Vt Inf.
ROBERTS, OTIS O.
Sergt.. Co. H, 6th Me. Inf.
ROBINSON, JOHN
Prlv.. Co. I. 19th Mass. Inf.
ROBINSON. JOHN C.
Brig. Gen., U. S. Vols.
ROBINSON, THOMAS
Priv.. Co. H, 8lBt Pa. Inf.
ROCKEFELLER, CHAS. M.
Lieut, Co. A. 178th N. Y. Inf.
ROBrB. GEORGE F.
Sergt., Co. D, 7th N. H. Inf.
ROBINSON. JAMES H.
Priv., Co. B, 3d Mich. Cav.
RODHNBOUGH, T F.
Capt, 2d U. S. Cav.
ROHM, FERDINAND F.
Chief Bugler. 16th Pa. Cav.
ROOD, OLIVER P.
Pr\v„ Co B. 20th Ind. Inf.
ROSSBACH. VALENTINE
Sergt.. 34th N. Y. Battery.
BOUGHT. STEPHEN
Sergt. Co. A. 141st Pa. Inf.
ROUNDS. LEWIS A,
Prlv., Co. D, 8th Ohio Inf.
RUSSELL. CHARLES L.
Corp., Co. H. 93d N. Y. Inf.
RYAN. PETER J.
Prlv., Co. D, nth Ind. Inf.
SANCRAINTB, CHARLES P.
Prlv., Co. B, 15th Mich. Inf.
— 566 —
SARGENT. JACKSON
3«rgt., Co. D. 5th Vt. Inf.
SAUTWl^Lli. HKNRY
Svrgt.. Co. D, i2Sd N. T. InL
SAVACOOU EDWIN F.
Capt., Co. K. l8t N. Y. Cav.
8CANLJV.N, PATRICK
Priv.. Co. A. 4th Mass. Cav.
SCHKLiLfiNBURGER, JOHN &
Corp.. Co. B, 86th Pa. Inf.
SCHUNCK. BENJAMIN W.
Corp.. Co. D. U«th UL Inf.
SCHlLiLBR, JOHN
l»rlv.. Co. JC 168th N. Y. Inf.
SOHLACHTKR, PHILIP
Prlv.. Co. F, TM N. Y. Inf.
SOHMAL. QBOROE W.
Blacksmith. Co. M. S4th N. T.
Cav.
SCHIMIDT. CONRAD
1st Ssrrt.. Co. K. 2d U. 8. Cav.
SCHNEIDER. GEORGE
Seryt.. Co. A. Sd Md. Vet Inf.
SCHOFIELD. DAVID S.
Q. M. Strirt.. Co. K. 6th N. T.
Cav.
SCHOFIEUD. JOHN M.
Maj.. 1st Mo. Inf.
8CHORN. CHARLES
Chief Huffier. Co. M. 1st W.
Va. Cav.
SCHWAN. THEODilRB
Brig.-Goit.. U. S. Viils.
SCHWENCK. MARTIN
Sergt., Co. B. «th U. S. Cav,
SCOTT. ALKX.\NDKR
Corp.. Co. D. »th Vt. Inf.
S<.'OTT. JULl.\N A.
Drummer. Co. E. 3d Vt. Inf.
SEAVER. THOM.\S O.
Col.. Sd Vt. Inf.
SEIX^WICK. IRVIN M.
1st Senft.. Co. H. ISth V. R. C.
SKSTON. CHARLES H.
Seryt.. Co. I. llth Ind. Int
SEWELU WILLIAM J.
Col., 5th N. J. Inf.
SHAH AND. AMZI
Corp.. CO. .\. ist w. va. Cav.
SHANES. JOHN
Priv.. Co. K. I4th W. Va. Inf.
SHEA. JOSEPH H.
Prlv.. Co. K. «d N. T. Inf.
SHEPARD. IRWIN
Corp.. Co. B. trth Mich. toL
SHEPHERD. WILLLXM
PHv.. Co. .\. 3d Ind. Cav.
SKRRMXN. MARSHALL
Priv.. Co. C. 1st Mtnn. Inf.
SKTBU JOHN
S*r»t.. CO. E. 90th Pa. Inf.
SHIELDS. BERNARD
Prtv.. Co. E. M W. Va, Cav.
SHI LI. I NO. JOHN
1st SerfTt.. Co. H. 3d DeL InfL
SHOKM.XKER, CBVI
Sonet.. Co. .V. 1st w. Va, Cav.
SHOPP. GEORGE J.
l>*v . Ct>. K. mst Pa. infl
SHTPERT. FRANK
SersKt.. Co. E. 4Srt N. T. Int.
SICKLES. P.VNTEL B.
M:v? -v>n.. r. :«. Vols.
SIMMONS. JOHN
l>«v.. Co. O. td X. T. BL .\.
SIMONS. OK.XRLES J.
S*»r!Ct.. Co, A. 9th N. H. Tnf.
Sn FL. HKNRY
1st Senct-. CO. K. 2d Md. Vet.
Inf.
SKELLIE. BBBNEZBR
Corp.. Co. D. Ittth X. T. Inf.
SLADBN. J^>SEPH .\.
PHv.. Co, .\. S3 Mass. Tnf.
SLOAN, .VNDREW J.
Prtv . OvX H. -rth Iowa Inf.
SMITH. JAMES
PHv. v> :. M v^hto Tnf.
?Mr*i*H. 'OSKPH :«
l.;«*':r. -v"."'; .irt-l ^"*>">mm'v Sub..
2a Xrmy O.-rj^
SMITH. '^TTS W
PHv.. v^v\ G. »ih Ohio Inf.
SMrr«f. RICHARI-*
PHv.. v-^. 3, »th X. T. mf.
Sl^lTHARP PAvrr*
Setift.. Co. C. \at N, J. C^v.
SOVA. JOSEPH E.
Saddler. Co. H. 8th N. T. Cav.
SPALDING. EDWARD B.
Serf!., Co. E, BSd IIL Inf.
SPILLANE. TIMOTHY
Prtv.. Co. C. 16th Pa. Cav.
SPRAGUE. JOHN W.
Col.. 63d Ohio Inf.
SPURLING. ANDREW B.
Lieut-Col.. 2d Me. Cav.
STARKINS. JOHN H.
STERLING. JOHH T.
Prlv.. Co. D. llth Ind. Inf.
STEWiART, GEORGE W.
Ist Senrt.. Co. E, 1st N. J. Cav.
STEWART. JOSEPH
Prtv., Co. G. lat Md. Inf.
8TICKELS. JOSEPH
Serfft.. Co. A. 8Sd Ohio Int
STOKES. GEORGE
Prlv.. Co. C, 122d 111. Inf.
STOREY, JOHN H. R,
Senrt.. Co. F. mth Pa. Inf.
8TORR. ROBERT
Prtv.. Co. A, 16th N. Y. Enjr.
STRASB.VUGH, BERNARD A.
Ist Serst.. Co. A, 3d Md. Inf.
STREILB, CH3USTIAN
Prtv., Co. L 1st N. J. Cav.
SWAN. CHARLES A.
Prtv.. Co. K, 4th Iowa Cav.
©WAYNE. WAGER
Ueut.-CoL. 4Sd Ohio Inf.
SWEENEY. JAMES
Prtv.. Co. A, 1st Vt. Ckv.
TAYLOR. ANTHONY
1st Lieut.. Co. A, 15th Pa.
Cav.
TAYLOR. RICHARD
Prtv.. Co. E. laui Ind. Inf.
TERRY. JOHN D.
Serst.. Co. E, 2Sd Mass. Inf.
THATCHER. CHARLES M.
Priv.. Co. B. Ist Mich. S. S.
THAXTER, SIDNEY W.
MaJ.. 1st Me. Cav.
THOMAS, CHARLES L.
Senrt.. Go. ¥1 Uth Ohio Oav.
THO&&A3. HAMPTON S.
MaJ.. 1st Pa. Vet. Cav.
THOMAS. STEPHEN
eol.. 8th Vt. Inf.
THOMPSON, CHARLES A.
Serst.. Co. D. 17th Mich. mf.
THOMPSON. FREEMAN C.
Corp.. Co. F. Ufith Ohio Inf.
THOMPSON. J. H.VRRY
stiry., r s. v.>:s.
THOMPSON. JAMES B.
Seryt.. Co. G. Ist Pa. Rlflea.
THOMPSON. WILLLVM P.
Serst.. Co. G. a>th Ind. Inf.
THOMSON. CLIFFORD
1st Ueuc. Co. A. lat N. Y.
Cav.
TTBBETTS. -\NDREW W.
Prtv.. Co. 4. 3d Iowa Cav.
TILTON. WILLL\M
Serst.. Co. C. 7th X. H. Inf.
TITUS. CHARLES
Serst.. Co. H, 1st X. J. Cav.
TOBAN. JAMES W.
Serjt. Co. C. iHh Mich. Cav.
TOBIN. JOHN M.
Capt.. 0>. L 9th Mass. Inf.
TOMPKINS. AARON 3.
Ser«t.. Co. G. 1st X. J. Cav.
TO.MPKINS. CHARLES H.
Ist Lieut., M U. 3. Cav.
TO.MPKIN"S. GEORGE W.
Corp.. Co. F. I2tth X. Y. Inf.
TORGLER. ERNEST
S«r«t.. Co. G. srth Ohio Inf.
TRACY. AMASA 3.
Ueut.-Ct>L. M Vt. Inf.
TR.\CT. BENJ.\MIN F.
v^il.. !*t»th N. Y. Inf.
TR.\YXOR. ANDREW
Corp.. Co. D. Ist Mich. Cav.
TRIBE. JOHN
Prtv.. Ct>. G. 5th X. Y- Cav.
TTCKSR. .Al*LAN
Senct., Coi F, :<Hh Conn. Inf.
Tt'CKSR, JACOB R.
Corp.. Co, G. Wh Md. Inf.
TWiCEDALE. JOHN
Prtv.. Col D. :5th Pa. Cat.
TWOMBLY. VOLTAIRE P
Capt.. Co. K. 2d Iowa Inf.
TYRRELL. GEX3RGE W.
Corp.. Co. H, 5th Ohio Inf.
URELL, MICHAEL
Prtv.. Co. E. 82d N. Y. Inf.
VANCE. WILSON
Prtv.. CO. B. nst Ohio Inf.
VAN MATRE. JOSEPH
Prtv., Co. G. 116th Ohio Inf.
VANWINKLE. EDWARD
Corp., Co. C, 148th N. Y. Inf.
VEAZEY. WHEELOCK G.
Col.. 16th Vt Vols.
WAGEMAN. JOHN H.
Priv.. Co. I. eoth Ohio Inf.
WALL. JERRY
Prtv.. Co. B, 12Sth N. Y. Inf.
WALLER. FRANCIS A,
Corp.. Co. L 6th Wis. Inf.
WARD. WILLIAM H.
Capt.. Co. B, 47th Ohio Inf.
WARB*EL. HENRY C.
Priv.. Tr(3op A. Lst Pa. Cav.
WHEELEIR. HENRY W.
Prtv.. Co. A. 2d Maine Inf.
WEBB., ALiETXAXDER 3.
briar. -G4?n., U. S. Vols.
WELCH. GEORGE
Prtv., Co. A. Uth Mo. Inf.
WELCH. RICHARD
Corp., Co. E, 37th Mass. InfL
WELLS. HENRY S.
Priv. Co. C. 148th X. Y. Inf.
WESTERHOLD, WILLL^J*
Sergt.. Co. G. 52d X. Y. Inf.
WHEELErR, DANIEL D.
1st Lieut.. Co. G. 4th Vt. Inf.
WHERRY. WILLIAM M.
Ist Lieut., Co. D. Ist Mo. Rea.
Inf.
WHITE. ADAM
Corp.. Co. G, Uth W. Va. Inf.
WHITMORE. JOHN
Prtv.. Co. F. U3th ni. Inf.
WHITTIER, ED WART' X.
lat Lieut.. 5th Battery. Ma.
L. A.
WILErr. J.\MES
Senrt., Co. B. 3Bth N. Y. Inf.
WILKINS. LEANDER .\-
Serst.. Co. H. 9th X. H. Inf.
WtLLCOX, ORLAXDO B.
CoL lat Mich. Inf.
WILLL\MS. GEORGE C.
Q. M S^r^t. 1st Battn., 14th
U. S. Inf-
WILLIA^IS. WrLLI.VM H.
Prtv.. Co. C. C»i '^hio Inf.
WILLI-V:\LS<'^N. JAMES .\-
Col.. 4th Iowa Inf.
WILLISTON EE':\"ARD B.
1st Lieut-, id ::. S Art,
WILSOX. CHARLES E.
3^nrt.. Co. A. l5t X. J. Tav.
WILS<:>X. FRANCIS
Corp.. Co. B. *«th ?x Inf.
WrLS<?X. JOHN
Senr- CD. L. Ist X. J. Cav.
TVTLSOX. JOI-:X M
1st Lieut., r. S. Enirrs.
WISEM-VN. WTLLLX.M H.
iHt 3enrt-. C3. E. lAxh v R. C.
WTTHIX'GTOX. WILLIAM H.
Col. ITth Mich. Inf.
'WOOD. H. CLAY
Ist Li«^--:t.. :^t T. 5. Inf.
TV':-* D LEOXAR~
tst Lieut.. A:??T SursE- T 3. A.
WOOD ALL. WILJ.:.\M H.
3o*jTsi. <.jen. Sher.vian s Hdqrm.
WOODS. DANIEL -\.
Prtv.. Co. K. 1st Vi. Tav.
WBAY WTT.LIAM Z.
S«-r5T. ■':. iv.. Ist V H. •?.
wh:«^kt. H'^bert
Prtv. Co. G. :4th ". S. lEf.
YEAGER. JACOB F
Prtr . 7?. H. :••!« ~hio "^^
YOUNG. AXT>REW Z.
S*rxr.. Cj. F :?t Px.
YOTTNG. 'ALVART M.
Co. L. '.i • r»a
Tr^TS^rF 3EXJ-\3tIX
Corp.. Cj- :, l5t Mirr
S 3L
— 657 —
BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS
Paob.
Aldie, Va 211
Amelia Court House 528
Amelia Springs 622
Antietam 75
Appomattox Station 627
Ashepov Kiver, S. C 347
Atlanta 378
Averysboro 491
Batchelder's Creek. N*. C 307
Baton Rouge 60
Bayon, Alabama 420
BentonvlUe, N. C 491
Blackburn's Ford 8
Black River Bridge 185, 187
Black River, N. C 490
Boydton Plank Road 452
Boylers Creek 537
Bristol Station 268
Brock Road 316
Bull Run. Battle of 8
Bull Run, Second Battle of 62
Burkevllle ..532
Buzzard's Roost, Ga 328
Camden (South Mills), N. C 22
Cane River Crossing, La 315
CarsviUe, Va 186
Cedar Creek, Va 443
Cedar Mountain 61
Centerville. Va 8, 537
Champion Hills 182
Chancellorsville, Va 141
Chapin's Farm 431
Charles City Cross Roads 49, 58
Chattanooga 282
Chlckahominy 49
Chlckamauga 263
Cold Harbor, Va 3^1
Corbin's Creek, Va 324
Corinth, Siege of 35
Craig's Meeting House 316
Crosby's Creek, Tenn 300
Dabney's Mills 482
Dallas 322
Dalton 322
Danville 527
Decatur, Ga 380
Dlngley's Mill, N. C 495
Dinwiddle Court House 501
Drewry's Bluff. Va 342
Dug Springs 14
Eastport, Miss 437
Elk River, Tenn 253
Ezra Church, Ga 381
Fair Oaks 39
Falling Waters, Va 255
Farmville 532
PlBher's Hill, Va 422
Five Forks 501
Faob
Flint River, Ga 412
Fort Blakely 533
Fort Donelson. Surrender of 15
Fort Fisher, First Assault on 471
Fort Fisher, Second Assault on 424, 472
Fort Gilmore 431
Fort Harrison 431
Fort Haskell ^88, 497
Fort Henry, Capture of 15
Fort Hill 394
Fort Huger, Va 132
Fort Stedman 497
Fort Sumter 3
Fort Wagner, S. C 258
Franklin, Tenn .* 460
Fredericksburg Va 107
Front Royal, Va 30
Furnaces 316
Gaines Mills Heights 49
Gales Creek, N. C. 302
Gettysburg 219
Glendale (Charles City Cross Roads) 49
Grand Ck)teau, La 274
Gravelly Run 482
Groveton 26
Guy's Gap 216
Hanover Town, Va 329, 351
Harper's Ferry 36
Hatcher's Run, Va 452
Hickey's Landing 208
Honey Hill, S. C 458
luka 92
Jackson, Miss 187
Jettersville, Va 622, 527
Jonesboro, Ga • 382
Kenesaw Mountain 322, 360, 372
Knoxville 295
Lafourche District, La., The 97
Laurel Hill 431
Lee's Mills, Va 21
Lee's Surrender 527
Lenoir Station, Tenn 278
Little Osage Crossing, Kan 450
Little Washington, N. C 69
Lookout Mountain 282
Lost Mountain 322
Lynchburg 528
Malvern Hill 49
Manassas 8
.'Marianna, Ga 415
Matagorda Bay, Tex 298
Mechanicsburg, Miss 205
MechanlcsYllle 48
Missionary Ridge 282
Mitchell Raid, The / . . . 17
Mobile 533
Monk's Neck Crossing, Va 479
Monocacy River ' 375
— 558 —
Pa«c.
Morehead City 302
Morgmn'8 KaW 180
Moorefleld, W. Va 2«2
Moon!fleld. W. Va 39«
Murfreesboro, Tenn 123
Naubville. Tenn 467
New Berne, N. C. Attack on 15
Newbys Crowi Roa^la 256
New 'Market HetgbtH 4H1
Newport BarrarkB 'Myi
Nolenj«vIlIe. Tenn 137
Oak Grove. Battle of 48
Pamunkey Klver 351
Parker's Store 31«
Peach Orchard 49
Peach Tree Creek, Ga 378
Perryvllle <or Chaplin Hills. Ky.> 9«
Petershnre 361. ."TOl
Petr^rsbnrir. Va.. Final Operatlona Around... .lOl
Piedmont. Va 35t5
Plftshnrcrh I^andlnsr 16
PTantersvIlle 537
Pleasant Hill. La 313
f Yatrle Or^re, Ark 99
Price's Mlssonri Expedition 450
Port Glhson 1H7
Port Hndson. or Rickey's Lanfllnsr 20S
Rappahnnnook Station. Rattle of 275
Red Hill. Ala 478
Resaca. Gn 322. 341
Richmond .V28
Rowanty Creek 4fif2
Sailors Creek 527
Sarasre Station 49
Savannah. Oa.. to BentonvIUe. N. C. From.. 491
Sawyer's Lane ^
Secessionville 44
Selma. Ala ^37
Seven Days' Battle, Tlie 48
Shelbyvllle. Tenn ::l«
Sherman's March to the oea 322
Shiloh 1«
Slaking Creek Valley Raid, The 108
South Mountain 73
South Side Road 527
SpanUh Fort 533
Spottsylvania 324
Springfield, .Mo 14
Staunton River Brldsre, Va :i70
Staunton, Va .357
Stone River 123
Stony Creek Station. Va 465
Summary of the War of the UeI)eilion ."i41. 542
The Crater iPetersburg. Va.», Battle of .584
The Wilderness 316
Tlron 537
Todd's Tavern .316
Trevelian Raid, Va :i69
Vlcksburg 187
Wauhatchle, Tenn.. Battle of 273
Waynesboro. ( Ja 463
Weldon Railroad. Va 368
Wlilte Oak Swamp 49
Wilson's Creek 14
Wilson's Raid .5;i7
Willlamsbursr. Va 24
Winchester. Va 210
Winchester, Va. 418
Yorktown 24
i*n««»Tyo^
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